# CE2004088EN.01061001.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/610 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/610

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(2004/C 88 E/0630)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1297/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject:   Massacres in Kashmir

Subject:

Various reports in the media indicate that fighting has broken out again in the part of Kashmir under Indian administration.

On 24 March 2003, in Nadi Marg, south of Srinagar, 24 Hindus, including 11 women and 2 children, were murdered.

It appears that this massacre was in retaliation for the previous day's murder of Abdul Majid Dar, the former leader of the Hizbul Mujahedin, one of the main anti-Indian guerrilla movements.

These recent crimes have given rise to fears that the conflict between India and Pakistan may be reignited, given that the world's attention is almost exclusively focused on the Iraq issue.

The Commission:

| — | what information does it have about the events in question; |
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what information does it have about the events in question;

| — | given that it will have been permanently monitoring Indo-Pakistani relations, what medium to long-term developments does it anticipate; |
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given that it will have been permanently monitoring Indo-Pakistani relations, what medium to long-term developments does it anticipate;

| — | what measures has it taken or does it intend to take to bring about the reconciliation of the two sides; |
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what measures has it taken or does it intend to take to bring about the reconciliation of the two sides;

| — | what role does it believe the European Union could play in resolving this conflict? |
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what role does it believe the European Union could play in resolving this conflict?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 May 2003)

(12 May 2003)

The Commission shares the views expressed by the Honourable Member that the Indo-Pakistan tensions remain a very serious matter of concern. The Commission is also well aware of the events of Nandimarg and it has condemned, in the clearest terms, this act of violence and terrorism, which has led to such tragic loss of innocent lifes.

The Member of the Commission in charge of external relations expressed his outrage and solidarity in a letter that he wrote to his Indian counterpart, Minister of External Affairs Yashwant Sinha, and the Presidency did the same on behalf of the Union.

The Commission is of the view that a peaceful settlement is the only way forward in the conflict between India and Pakistan. This has been the EU's long-standing and consistent policy. The Commission regularly points out India and Pakistan's respective responsibilities and it will continue to press for an end to cross-border terrorism and for the resumption of a dialogue between both governments.

The EU acknowledges the critical importance of relations between India and Pakistan for world peace and security, and gives the issue its constant and dedicated attention, irrespective of events elsewhere in the world. The Commission has also given its full support to the efforts of the international community to engage both parties in a rapid de-escalation of tension in the short term, and to progress towards a peaceful solution in the longer term. A peaceful settlement can only be reached by the parties to the conflict themselves and the role of the international community is to encourage both sides to make the necessary move in this direction.

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