Referendum in 1996 a 'real possibility' despite slow progress.

• Position: United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara - Includes related article on sanctions against Libya

The Security Council has welcomed the progress achieved so far by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in the identification and registration of voters in particular the acceleration in the rate of identification and emphasized the need to continue that acceleration.

In a 12 April presidential statement, the Council endorsed the Secretary-General's goal of achieving a rate of at least 25,000 per month. However, it regretted that progress had not been sufficient to enable the Secretary-General to recommend 1 June 1995 as the date for the commencement of the transitional period.

The Council also noted with concern the delays resulting from the failure to ensure the continuous presence at the identification centres of the necessary sub-fraction representatives, and welcomed the agreement on a method for choosing alternate representatives when necessary.

The Council further expressed concern at the slow progress in the implementation of other aspects of the Settlement Plan, which had to be completed before the referendum in Western Sahara could take place

On 30 March, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali reported (S/1995/240) that the holding of the referendum had become a real possibility.

While it would not be possible to start the transitional period by 1 June as he had hoped, it could begin in August 1995, depending on the parties cooperation in resolving expeditiously the remaining issues in the Settlement Plan, the Secretary-General stated. The referendum could then be held in January 1996.

Important archival material given by the Government of Spain, including certificates of birth, marriage, divorce and death, were of considerable value to identification, especially for doubtful cases, the Secretary-General added.

Less than a year ago, very few believed that the identification process would even start. he said. By autumn of 1994, the pace was such as to "inspire little faith in its being completed within the foreseeable future". Now, additional resources needed for implementation had been promised and agreement reached on how identification might be carried forward.

There were currently seven identification centres. and plans were in hand to expand the operation further, he went on. Computerization of applications received and, in particular, the agreement of the parties to a formula for choosing tribal leaders to replace sheikhs who were no longer living or capable offered the best prospects so...