Invited by a pro-Polisario micro association active in Ireland, not the government
Ireland deals blow to Polisario’s visit propaganda
The Irish government insists that the Algeria-backed separatist front officials’ visit to Ireland was a private one and that they had not discussions with Irish officials despite their insistent requests.
Saturday 17/02/2024
Invited by a pro-Polisario micro association active in Ireland, not the government
DUBLIN - The Irish embassy in Morocco stressed that Polisario leader Brahim Ghali’s visit to Ireland was private, dealing a huge blow to the Algeria-backed separatist’s false propaganda.
“The visit of Polisario Front representatives to Ireland last week was a private visit. It was organized by a pro-Polisario micro association active in Ireland. The Irish government is in no way involved in or responsible for this activity,” said the official statement issued by the Irish embassy in Rabat.
The separatists were not received by any member of the Irish government.
“The separatists' visit was not on foot of an official invitation. Despite their insistent requests and the support of their intermediaries, the separatists had no discussions - official or unofficial - with Irish Prime Minister Leo VARADKAR or his Services, nor with Foreign Minister Micheal Martin,” said the statement.
“The Speakers of both Houses, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, have refused to receive them. Only certain members of parliament sympathetic to the separatist group were received, in a personal capacity - and not on behalf of Parliament,” it added.
The statement emphasised Ireland's “unchanged and reaffirmed” position on the Sahara issue.
“Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue," it added.