Peace plan for Western Sahara under way.

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar has appointed Hector Gros Espiell of Uruguay as Special Representative for Western Sahara to implement proposals for a peaceful settlement involving a cease-fire and a referendum for self-determination of the Territory's people.

A contingent of UN observers would be deployed to verify cessation of hostilities, cease-fire implementation, and a prisoner exchange. The Special Representative would determine the parties' positions at the time of the cease-fire and consign their troops to certain sites.

In resolution 621 (1988), the Security Council on 20 September called on the Secretary-General to make the appointment and to report on the holding of the referendum and on ways to ensure its organization and supervision by the UN in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU)

The Council acted following lengthy negotiations by ME Perez de Cu6llar with representatives of both Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO)-the two parties to the conflict in the Territory. They agreed on 30 August in Geneva to the peace plan submitted jointly by the UN Secretary-General and the OAU Chairman, President Moussa Traore of Mali.

A 'credible referendum'

The plan aims to establish conditions for a "credible referendum" to make it possible for the people of Western Sahara to exercise their right to selfdetermination "without military or administrative constraints", Mr. Perez de Cuellar stated. The referendum would be...