Adopted by the Security Council at its 3625th meeting, on 31
January 1996
The Security Council,
Reaffirming all its previous resolutions on the question of
Western Sahara,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of
19 January 1996 (S/1996/43 and Corr.1),
Welcoming in this context the visit to the region by the
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General from 2 to 9 January 1996,
Noting the views expressed by the Government of Morocco
set out in the report of the Secretary-General,
Noting also the views expressed by the Polisario Front
set out in the report of the Secretary-General,
Reconfirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve
a just and lasting solution to the question of Western Sahara,
Reiterating the fact that, for progress to be achieved,
the two parties must have a vision of the post-referendum period,
1. Reiterates its commitment to the holding, without further delay,
of a free, fair and impartial referendum for the self-determination
of the people of Western Sahara in accordance with the Settlement
Plan which has been accepted by the two parties referred to above;
2. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 19 January
1996;
3. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission
for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 May 1996;
4. Expresses deep concern about the stalemate which has been hindering
the identification process and the consequent lack of progress
towards completion of the Settlement Plan;
5. Calls upon the two parties to cooperate with the Secretary-General
and MINURSO in resuming the identification process, overcoming
obstacles hindering completion of that process, and implementing
all other aspects of the Settlement Plan, in accordance with the
relevant resolutions;
6. Encourages the two parties to consider additional ways to create
confidence between themselves and to facilitate the implementation
of the Settlement Plan;
7. Supports the intention of the Secretary-General, in the absence
of meaningful progress towards completion of the Settlement Plan,
to bring the situation to the immediate attention of the Council,
and invites the SecretaryGeneral in this eventuality to submit
for consideration a detailed programme for a phased withdrawal
of MINURSO, in accordance with the second option contained in
his report of 19 January 1996;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report by 15 May
1996 on the implementation of the present resolution;
9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.