B4-0346, 0363, 0387, 0388, 0389, 0398 and 0399/96

Resolution on the situation in the former Yugoslavia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the former Yugoslavia, especially as regards the freedom of the media, the situation in the Republic of Croatia and the situation of refugees,

A. whereas the existence of independent media is of crucial importance for the functioning of a democratic society, and being aware that the ongoing takeover of the few existing independent and open media by the government may very soon result in irreparable damage with regard to the growth of balanced public opinion and the achievement of a real peace,

B. noting that very few independent newspapers, periodicals and radio stations exist in the Republic of Serbia and that recently, following a court decision, the independent television station, Studio B, was brought under the control of the City Assembly of Belgrade, thereby losing its independent character,

C. noting that elections to the federal parliament of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are due to take place in the autumn of 1996 and that the absence of independent media may seriously obstruct the possibilities for all parties to present their political analysis and their programmes in an equal way to the people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,

D. whereas a decision in principle has been taken to include the Republic of Croatia in the PHARE programme and to start negotiations on a trade and cooperation agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Croatia and whereas this decision has been taken with special emphasis on the respect for democracy and human rights and the rights of minorities,

E. whereas President Tudjman of Croatia has already twice blocked the decision by the large majority of the City Assembly of Zagreb for the nomination of a new Mayor for the City of Zagreb and noting that he has now appointed a member of his ruling party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Mrs Marina Matulovic-Dropulic, as mayor,

F. having regard to the programmes drawn up by the European Union host countries providing for the voluntary return of refugees from Bosnia Herzegovina as of the second half of 1996,

G. having regard to the meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Council on 19 and 20 March 1996 in Brussels, at which the question of the return of refugees from former Yugoslavia will be discussed,

H. having regard to the operational plan relating to sustainable solutions in Annex 7 of the General Framework Agreement for peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina and related regional return and repatriation movements designed jointly by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the chapters of Annex 7 of the Dayton Accords,

I. whereas this plan cannot succeed in reality unless every aspect of the Dayton Accords is complied with, including freedom of movement, choice of residence, respect for human rights and the holding of free, democratic elections,

J. whereas the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina is still far from normal, and whereas both the Bosnian administration and the international organizations are currently unable to meet the urgent food and shelter needs of all the refugees,

K. deeply concerned about the ongoing destruction and burning of houses and other buildings taking place under the eyes of the international community, which is further aggravating the refugee problem,

L. having regard to the need to rebuild the towns and villages destroyed during the conflict and to carry out mine-clearing operations in many parts of the territory of former Yugoslavia, in particular in Bosnia-Herzegovina,

I. As regards the freedom of the media

1. Expresses its great attachment to the existence and the further development of free and independent media in all the countries of the former Yugoslavia, including the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and to the role they have to play in the consolidation of peace and the development of a free and democratic society;

2. Calls on the government of Serbia to guarantee the necessary conditions for the existence of free and independent media, especially as regards radio and television, and urges the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to grant the necessary possibilities for all parties participating in the parliamentary elections to present their political analysis and their programmes in a free and equal way;

3. Deeply deplores the fact that the Belgrade office of the SOROS Institute has been made to close, which is bound to have a negative effect on the development of civil society;

4. Calls on the Commission to continue and reinforce its support for the existence and further development of a free and independent press, radio and television in all the countries of the former Yugoslavia; calls furthermore on the Commission and the High Representative of the International Community, Mr Carl Bildt, to promote media which have the reconstruction of a multi-ethnic society as their main objective;

5. Encourages the Member States to develop aid programmes, e.g. exchange programmes for journalists and between media companies in the Member States and counterparts in the countries of the former Yugoslavia;

6. Asks for the creation of facilities for independent and multi-ethnic media in order to ensure that their radio and television programmes can easily be received in all of Bosnia-Herzegovina;

7. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely the activity of the state-owned media and the policy towards the media of the governments of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and its regional authorities and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;

II. As regards the nomination of a Mayor of Zagreb

8. Calls on President Tudjman and the government of Croatia to accept fully the outcome of democratic elections and to end the continuing blocking of the nomination of a democratically elected Mayor of Zagreb and urges the Council to put pressure on the Croatian government to adopt a constructive attitude in this respect;

9. Stresses that the relationship between the European Union and Croatia can only be further strengthened if the government of Croatia and the President show the necessary respect for democracy in their country; calls on the Commission and the Council to make the necessary funds available under the PHARE democracy programme for the full establishment and strengthening of democratic structures in the Republic of Croatia;

III. As regards the situation of refugees

10. Notes that the present situation with regard to the return of refugees to Bosnia-Herzegovina will not allow immediate, large-scale repatriation;

11. Calls on the Member States to take all necessary steps to ensure that this return takes place in compliance with the fundamental rights of the populations concerned and, in particular, to ensure that the country is cleared of mines, homes are rebuilt and the water and electricity supply and road infrastructure in Bosnia-Herzegovina is rebuilt or repaired;

12. Takes the view that the return must take place on an absolutely free and voluntary basis, and that the possibility of returning must be offered to everyone;

13. Calls on the Commission and the Council to set up a burden-sharing arrangement to implement the UNHCR's repatriation and resettlement plan;

14. Calls on the next Justice and Home Affairs Council to work jointly on the implementation of an all-embracing, coherent return plan for the refugees from former Yugoslavia and, meanwhile, to allow them to continue to reside in the Member States (by extending their residence permits);

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments and the parliaments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the City Assembly of Zagreb, the High Representative of the International Community, Mr Carl Bildt, and the UNHCR.