SADR WELCOMES KERR-MCGEE WITHDRAW

The SADR government welcomes the news regarding the recent decision by Kerr McGee to end its involvement in Western Sahara.

The SADR government strongly objected to Kerr McGees signature of a Reconnaissance Permit, which it signed with Morocco to explore for oil offshore Western Sahara, and repeatedly called for Kerr McGee to observe the principles of international law and UN legislation and to withdraw from its territory.

The SADR government calls on all companies and governments to refrain from the exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara and for consumers to boycott all materials illegally obtained from the territory. The European Union should take heed of the decision by Kerr McGee and many other companies, and exclude Western Sahara from its forthcoming fishing agreement with Morocco.

According to the UN, Western Sahara is a non-self governing territory and any exploitation of the resources of the country without the permission of its indigenous people is illegal. The Saharawi people will continue to use all available means to protect the resources of Western Sahara from exploitation by the occupying Moroccan regime.

The SADR government would like to take this opportunity to thank and express its gratitude to all the friends and supporters worldwide who have objected to Kerr McGees presence in our country, and have tirelessly campaigned to put pressure on it to withdraw.

3 May 2006