B4-0320, 0333, 0343, 0351, 0364, 0367 and 0376/98

Resolution on Cambodia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Cambodia, in particular that of 17 July 1997 ((OJ C 286, 22.9.1997, p. 240.)),

- having regard to the latest declarations by the Presidency, on behalf of the European Union, on the political situation in Cambodia,

- having regard to the 1991 Paris Peace Accords,

A. whereas Hun Sen¨s military overthrow of constitutional rule in July 1997 has been associated with a rise in political and military violence and has endangered the transition to democracy in Cambodia,

B. whereas since July 1997 fighting in the northern areas of the country between opposing factions of the army and the Khmer Rouge has forced 65 000 civilians to flee to Thailand,

C. whereas Japan has promoted a peace plan signed in Manila by the conflicting parties which allows in particular for the return of Prince Ranariddh following his trial in absentia and subsequent pardon by King Sihanouk,

D. whereas the EU has made major political and financial efforts to implement the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, especially through its support for the electoral process,

E. whereas the Commission has announced funding of ECU 9.5 m for preparations for the Cambodian elections,

F. whereas the climate of fear and impunity, the take-over of provincial administrative and security structures by CPP officials and the closure of non-CPP-aligned radio and television stations makes it uncertain whether the political conditions for free and fair elections are in place,

G. whereas certain conditions must be fulfilled for EU support to be effective in securing free and fair elections,

1. Calls on all political forces in Cambodia fully to respect the 1991 Paris Accords and to implement the Manila peace plan so as to re-establish the political and institutional framework laid down by the Accords;

2. Notes the truce declared following the Manila agreement and calls for it to be fully observed by all the warring factions;

3. Calls upon the Commission and international donors to re-examine the conditions under which their support for the elections will be given, so as to make sure that minimum conditions exist guaranteeing that the elections will be free and fair, while making the release of aid subject to compliance with the following conditions:

- all opposition politicians should be allowed to return safely to Cambodia and participate in the elections;

- all parties running in the elections should have equal access to State broadcast and print organs and should be free to run their own media operations;

- the National Electoral Commission and the Supreme Council of the Judiciary should be reconstituted as truly neutral bodies and a Constitutional Council should be set up;

- the so-called media sub-decree, which enables any criticism of the Government to be considered as treason or an attempt to destabilize the country, should be withdrawn;

- efforts must be made to ensure that Cambodians displaced to Thailand by the renewal of fighting are allowed to return and participate in the elections;

4. Expresses its deep concern about the fate of several leaders of FUNCINPEC and of the Cambodian royal family; calls emphatically for their safety to be guaranteed and also for the safe return of Prince Ranariddh, as provided for by the Manila peace plan;

5. Calls for an open investigation to be made into the grenade attack on 30 March 1997 and the extrajudicial killings following the fighting in July 1997;

6. Maintains its view that the adoption of its report on the EU¨s cooperation agreement with Cambodia should be postponed until free and fair elections have taken place;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the United Nations, ASEAN, and the Cambodian authorities.