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where control is not easy. We have to in the thinking and the resources made moment. However, it can become fluid
supervize the desert, several thousands available at a time of tremendous eco- at any time so it is fragile if other things
of kilometres of borders. It is a big job nomic and financial constraints. It is not happen in the region. It is fluid because
and we do not have the resources; by at all unusual for major Member States of the present flows of arms coming from
the way, we are not mandated for this and major contributors to set their prio- Libya and elsewhere, and this numbers
task. We are mandated to observe the rities. I am not aware of their priorities, in thousands.
ceasefire between the Polisario and the but if I was in their position I would do
Kingdom of Morocco. the same --prioritize! I have limited re- Q: Going back to the mission, how
sources and I cannot go in all directions do you manage people coming
We have other generic resolutions from at once. from all parts of the world?
the Security Council concerning the se-
curity and safety of UN personnel. I'm Therefore, the situation has to be We have an excellent mix of personnel,
giving tremendous attention to this viewed within the global political, mi- both civilians and military from very
matter and trying to push the parties litary and security environment. Per- different backgrounds. We do not have
and neighbouring countries to colla- sonally, I would love for the question much friction between people. It may
borate seriously in at least exchanging of security in the Sahel and Western happen but in general everything goes
reliable information concerning what is Sahara to receive the importance it de- very well.
happening in the Sahara region. serves. It may look far away, but it is
not. It is next door. Western Sahara In comparison with many other mis-
You must not forget that there has been has a huge coastline -- and then in the sions, what I feel is difficult is the lack
the kidnapping of three humanitarian vicinity you have the Canary Islands. of dynamism. This mission has not
workers from a camp east of here. The Anything can happen in terms of traf- been dynamic because of the nature of
kidnappers are still unknown and there ficking, in terms of transportation, etc. its work. To change this approach -- to
is no resolution of this issue. In retalia- make people more willing to take initia-
tion, several weeks ago there was a kid- When you speak about Western Sahara, tive and not to sit behind their desks --
napping and a killing of kidnappers in about the Sahel, you cover not only these is not an easy task. If I have a problem
the North of Mali. We are now in a sort particular regions, but also adjacent with the mission, it is mainly this issue,
of round of kidnapping and retaliation. areas. You may talk about North Africa not the diversity of the people.
This makes me very worried knowing by itself, then East Africa by itself, the
the culture, since it gives weight to trafficking between West and East Afri- Q: What kind of initiative would
a sense of dignity and honour. If ca, but soon you are concerned about you like to see?
somebody kidnaps somebody from one the Atlantic Ocean, then the region of
side, the other side have to do the same the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the West I believe that field diplomacy is different
in order to save face. Sometimes it is a Coast of Africa which leads to Europe. from traditional diplomacy. I feel-- and
matter of honour, but we cannot ignore We are talking about a small word and I'm convinced of this -- that field diplo-
the financial aspects -- poverty, the the movement of people, because they macy is like an American football match:
attraction of money, cross-border and have a tremendous motivation to flee. you grab the ball and run; you have to
cross-continent criminality in terms of In order to survive they are ready to do overcome all possible obstacles and try
drugs and human trafficking. I have no anything. Alongside this you have the to get results. You cannot approach field
proof but I would not exclude trafficking ill mentality of terrorists who are either diplomacy in the same way as negotia-
in human organs -- it's a possibility. pursuing money or political ideologies. ting a treaty in the tranquil environment
We do not have information about it, of the Palais des Nations. It's completely
but it remains a possibility. It is a messy Q: So this is a troubled region? different. This is my symbolic image of
situation and anything can happen. the RSG and peacekeeping.
The situation is not as good as we may
Q: Do you feel that people are not wish, but Western Sahara is calm for the Q: Finally, what are your aspira-
aware of what is going on in the tions for the region?
region?
My aspirations for the region are always
There is a conflict situation -- if you to try to make progress, to see results
can still call it a conflict after thirty- and to make a difference in everything.
five years, and the twenty-year exis- Not to fall into a routine, not to fall into
tence of MINURSO. It is not a situation the regular routine of a civil servant, and
threatening regional and international to continue what I believe should be a
peace and security. Therefore, compared vocation for me and for others. I know it
to other situations like those in Libya, exists, for me and other people, but they
Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Syria, it need to be pushed. Belief in peace and
does not have priority in the thinking peacekeeping exists. It may have to be
of the international community, the groomed. Maybe it has to be put in the
Big Powers, the Security Council, etc. forefront of everyone's mind that we are
And do not forget that there are other here to accomplish a vocation and not
conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa. simply doing a job.

All of these are receiving different prio-
rities -- not only in the media, but also

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