I'm reading Endgame in the Western Sahara, by Toby Shelley. It's the most entertaining and readable book I've read about the Western Sahara (I've only read two, counting Roots of a Desert War, which I stopped reading when the pre-colonization part got boring).The first chapter is about the relationship of world powers to Morocco, Algeria, and the Western Sahara. It's sad that because, if Shelley's right, Polisario could have won the war in the late 70's to early 80's if France and the United States hadn't given Morocco so much aid and weapons to shore up its faltering army, government, and economy. The two countries were motivated by complex desires, including larger Maghreb economic integration and keeping the entrance to the Mediterranean a Western ally.
I've long thought that if the United States gets serious with Morocco and withhold aid until a referendum is held, the Sahrawis have a good chance for independence.
In Endgame, though, Shelley makes a strong argument for France being the prime non-Maghreb mover in Western Saharan independence. France's veto of an otherwise unanimous UN Security Council vote calling for Morocco to better protect Sahrawi rights is one example, and French companies account for 24.3% of imports to Morocco (as of 2000).
While I still think the United States, as one of Morocco's most influential allies (and, if the term's still applicable, the remaining superpower) could cause great change in Morocco, there's much to be said for France. If a strong French divestment movement could get running, Morocco would have to pay attention.
Does anyone know of any French pro-Western Sahara groups? I know much of ARSO's in French, but it's based out of Switzerland.