The Western Sahara was a Spanish colony until 1975 when it was divided between Morocco and Mauritania.It is now entirely controlled by Morocco whose sovereignty there is not internationally recognised.Spain is generally in favour with the UN in giving the people of western Sahara a referendum over the issue of sovereignty but equally they are walking a tightrope with the King of Morocco.

The King of Morocco is pro the West and so the stance of Spain is reflected generally.King Mohammed VI is anti fundamentalism in Islam and he is vital to the anti-terrorist as viewed by the USA.

Recently Aminatu Haidar,who is an activist who wants the Western Sahara to have independence,was returned on a flight which landed in the capital of Western Sahara to Lanzarote airport.They( the Moroccans) had refused her entry and confiscated her passport.She has sampled Moroccan jails because of her beliefs and when she landed in Lanzarote she refused to leave and started a hunger strike.Her protest lasted for 32 days and she lost 6 kilos in weight.She was so ill that she did need to be admitted to Lanzarote hospital.

Intervention by Spain,France and the USA did bring about a change in the actions of the Moroccan authorities.She was permitted to return to her El Aaiun home.It appears that the moroccan authorities have not left her alone though and her home is surrounded by security police and she is only allowed to see members of her family.