B4-0636, 0644, 0684, 0716, 0723, 0726 and 0727/95

Resolution on the visit of the Troika to Ankara and the Turkish military intervention in northern Iraq

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the violations of human rights by Turkey and on the condemnation of terrorist attacks by the PKK,

- having regard to its resolution of 16 February 1995 on the draft agreement on the conclusion of a customs union between the EU and Turkey ((Minutes of that Sitting, Part II, Item 4.)),

A. gravely disturbed by the spread of the conflict between the Turkish State and the PKK terrorists to northern Iraq,

B. whereas northern Iraq has been declared a UN protected zone,

C. appalled by the disproportionate size of this action, in which 35 000 Turkish troops, supported by fighter planes, tanks and other heavy weapons, launched an attack on Kurdish villages, killing over several hundred people and wounding and imprisoning innocent civilians,

D. whereas the large-scale nature of this operation and the absence of any time limit indicate that it is more than a simple exercise of the right of hot pursuit,

E. fearing for the safety of the thousands of Kurdish refugees who have sought safety either from the murderous repression of Saddam Hussein or from the savage fighting raging in south-east Turkey, and for the safety of all the inhabitants of the region,

F. noting that the presence of independent journalists and TV crews, which would have provided full, uncensored information for the international public, was prohibited,

G. noting that the operation has been partly carried out with heavy weapons originating from European Union Member States,

H. supporting the French Presidency's warnings to the Turkish Government and the German Government's decision to suspend financial credits for the purchase of warships by Turkey and further arms deliveries to Turkey,

I. whereas the state of human rights in Turkey is too grave to allow the establishment of the proposed customs union at present,

J. whereas the Kurdish problem cannot be solved by military means,

1. Strongly condemns Turkey's military intervention in northern Iraq and the resulting violation of international law and human rights;

2. Repeats its condemnation of terrorist acts by the PKK and warns the Turkish Government that the continuation of the policy of repression against the reasonable aspirations of Kurds in Turkey is bound to strengthen the appeal of the PKK, whatever the success of Turkish military operations;

3. Urges Turkey to withdraw its troops from northern Iraq immediately and to seek a political solution to the tensions in its eastern provinces, whilst respecting the rules of international law;

4. Calls on the European Union and its Member States to assist the UNHCR financially and technically in its efforts to succour the people threatened by this latest outburst of violence;

5. Urges the Member States not to extradite any Kurdish refugees while the present Turkish action against the Kurdish people continues, except for leaders of terrorist movements;

6. Calls on the Member States to follow Germany's example and make future military aid to Turkey conditional on Turkey withdrawing its troops;

7. Urges the Council and the Commission to draw up strict rules on the export of weapons in order to prevent weapons originating in European Union Member States from being used in the settlement of this and similar conflicts;

8. Calls for Red Cross representatives to be allowed to travel to northern Iraq in order to assist the civilian population, especially injured and imprisoned persons;

9. Recalls the terms of its abovementioned resolution of 16 February 1995;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the Secretary-General of the UN, the UNHCR, the ICRC and the Governments of Turkey and Iraq.