The future of Western Sahara

Morocco and Polisario agree talks
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6610191.stm

The Polisario movement has been in dispute with Morocco for decades

Morocco and the independence movement for Western Sahara, the Polisario Front, have agreed to UN-sponsored talks on the disputed territory.

The UN Security Council said it had asked both sides in the 32-year-old dispute to negotiate unconditionally.

Morocco's sovereignty over the mineral-rich region is contested by Polisario, an Algerian-backed separatist movement.

The former Spanish colony was annexed by Morocco after Madrid left in 1975.

"We want negotiations to start unconditionally and I am happy that all sides have agreed to do that," US Ambassador Zalmay Khalizad told reporters.

( Self-determination )