B4-0741, 0771, 0808, 0830, 0839 and 0844/95

Resolution on the situation in the former Yugoslavia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the former Yugoslavia,

A. deeply concerned by the impossibility and unwillingness of all parties concerned to extend the ceasefire in the conflict zones of the former Yugoslavia,

B. noting that the absence of a ceasefire agreement has led to a renewed escalation in the conflict in several areas of the territory of the former Yugoslavia,

C. appalled by the increase in the attacks on the civilian population of Sarajevo,

D. concerned by reports that, after the Bosnian Serb shelling of Sarajevo on 7 May 1995, which killed ten people, the orders for NATO air strikes issued by the UN commander in Bosnia were countermanded by the UN headquarters in Zagreb,

E. having regard to the lack of attention shown by the world at large to the continuing violation of human rights in Banja Luka which has even been intensified since 4 May 1995,

F. shocked by the resumption of military operations in Croatia, in which the civilian population has also been affected,

G. welcoming the withdrawal of Croatian troops from the buffer-zones and noting that a further escalation of the conflict in Croatia would endanger future cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Croatia,

H. stressing the need to carry out the demilitarization plan for occupied zones in Croatia in order to avoid further conflict,

I. noting that a global and peaceful solution to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia can only be reached by negotiations on the basis of the decisions of the United Nations Security Council and the proposals of the Contact Group for the former Yugoslavia,

J. honouring the efforts of the United Nations troops in the former Yugoslavia for their peace-keeping efforts despite the weakness of their mandate; recognising that many thousands of lives have been saved due to the presence of UN forces and that they continue to do much to guard those bringing relief to the millions of refugees and displaced persons,

K. welcoming the renewed determination of the International Tribunal investigating crimes against humanity in the former Yugoslavia to examine the records of persons with important political positions who are suspected of committing such crimes,

L. drawing attention to the statement by the Secretary-General of the UN of 16 May 1995 about the need for a new mandate for the UN forces in former Yugoslavia,

1. Strongly denounces the renewed escalation of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, and condemns all attacks on the civilian population from wherever they emanate;

2. Calls on all parties concerned in the conflict to to make efforts not to solve the conflict by force of arms but to resume negotiations for a global and peaceful solution on the basis of the decisions by the UN Security Council and the Contact Group for the former Yugoslavia;

3. Points out that the presence of UN forces over the last four years has prevented the war spreading and that it is now time to strengthen UNPROFOR's mandate, resources and authority and to clarify the tasks of its mission, thus sending out a signal of the international community's firm commitment to reaching a political situation that all the contending parties can accept,

4. Emphasizes that closer cooperation between the European Union and the republics of the former Yugoslavia will only be possible if those republics are prepared to implement the decisions of the UN Security Council and show their willingness to find a peaceful solution to the conflict;

5. Reiterates its strong commitment to the respect of human and minority rights and the maintenance of a multi-ethnic society in the territory of the former Yugoslavia;

6. Calls on the Commission and Council to send observers to Banja Luka in order to avoid the continuation of the atrocities of ethnic cleansing in that area;

7. Encourages the International Tribunal on Crimes against Humanity in the former Yugoslavia to carry on without letting its efforts at justice be intimidated, and calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to support this action in every way possible;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the UN Security Council, the members of the Contact Group and the Government of Croatia.