29 March 1994

Adopted by the Security Council at its 3355th meeting, on 29 March 1994

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its resolutions 621 (1988) of 20 September 1988, 658 (1990) of 27 June 1990, 690 (1991) of 29 April 1991, 725 (1991) of 31 December 1991 and 809 (1993) of 2 March 1993,

Appreciative of the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General and his Special Representative to address concerns of both parties and implement the Settlement Plan regarding the question of Western Sahara (S/21360 and S/22464), as adopted by resolutions 658 (1990) and 690 (1991),

Recalling the reports of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara dated 21 May 1993 (S/25818), 28 July 1993 (S/26185) and 24 November 1993 (S/26797),

Recalling the letters from the President of the Council dated 28 May 1993 (S/25860), 4 August 1993 (S/26239) and 6 December 1993 (S/26848) in response to those reports,

Having considered the Secretary-General's report of 10 March 1994 and its annexes (S/1994/283),

Recalling paragraph 22 of the Secretary-General's report (S/1994/283),

Recalling that, in conformity with the Settlement Plan, it was for the Secretary-General to determine the instructions for the review of the applications for participation in the referendum, Urging the two parties to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General in implementing the Settlement Plan which has been accepted by them,

Committed to reaching a just and lasting solution of the question of Western Sahara,

1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara of 10 March 1994;

2. Welcomes the compromise proposal of the Secretary-General concerning the interpretation and application of criteria for voter eligibility (S/26185) as a sound framework for determining eligibility for participation in the referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara; and takes note of the explanatory note of the Special Representative dated 27 September 1993 (S/26185), and the letter of the Special Representative dated 4 February 1994 included in the annexes to the Secretary-General's report of 10 March 1994;

3. Expresses its deep concern over continuing difficulties and delays in the work of the Identification Commission;

4. Agrees to the course of action as outlined in Option B in the Secretary-General's report of 10 March 1994, that the Identification Commission should complete the analysis of all applications received and proceed with the identification and registration of potential voters by 30 June 1994, on the basis of the Secretary-General's compromise proposal, the terms of reference of the Identification Commission, and the relevant provisions of the Settlement Plan; and supports the Secretary-General's intention to continue his efforts to obtain the cooperation of both parties on that basis;

5. Requests, in this context, the Secretary-General to report to the Council not later than 15 July 1994 on progress achieved in the work of the Identification Commission as well as other aspects relevant to the fulfilment of the Settlement Plan with a view to deciding on further action necessary for fulfilment of the United Nations mission in Western Sahara;

6. Urges strict compliance with the timetable for Option B as laid out in paragraph 24 (a) of the Secretary-General's report of 10 March 1994, with a view to holding the referendum by the end of 1994;

7. Calls for full cooperation with the Secretary-General, his Special Representative and the Identification Commission in their efforts to implement the Settlement Plan, which has been accepted by both parties;

8. Decides, in the event that the Secretary-General notifies the Council in the report called for in paragraph 5 above that the referendum cannot be held by the end of 1994, and in view of obligations of the parties to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General, to consider MINURSO's future, including an examination of options regarding its mandate and continued operations;

9. Urges the Secretary-General, in the context of the implementation of paragraph 4 above, to make every effort to maintain MINURSO at the strength needed to carry out Option B, and further invites him to make proposals for the necessary adjustments to the present role and strengths of MINURSO, as part of the report called for in paragraph 5 above;

10. Decides to remain seized of the matter.