B4-0355, 0379, 0384, 0386 and 0391/97

Resolution on the situation in Zaire

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the crisis in the African Great Lakes region and, in particular, the situation in Zaire,

A. having regard to the situation in Zaire and its capital Kinshasa, where the danger of an armed conflict is becoming increasingly imminent,

B. having regard to the urgent need to set up a transitional government in Zaire, assisted by the UN, acceptable to all the parties in conflict and the political forces in the country and, in particular, to the opposition groups, with responsibility for establishing a genuine process of democratization in the country and capable of organizing free, democratic and fair elections,

C. deeply dismayed by the suffering of hundreds of thousands of refugees concealed in the forest of Zaire, often without access to even basic humanitarian aid, and extremely concerned by the deaths of dozens of refugees as a result of the appalling conditions in which they were transported by rail to Kisangani,

D. indignant at the conditions laid down by the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (ADFL) in respect of the repatriation of Rwandan refugees; considering that repatriation must be carried out on a voluntary basis and with due respect for human dignity;

E. having regard to the statements made by the Commission to the effect that the troops of the ADFL are deliberately preventing emergency humanitarian aid from reaching the population in the area under their control and, in doing so, are conducting what amounts to a policy of obstruction vis-à-vis persons at risk,

F. whereas the document drawn up by the UN rapporteur on human rights in Zaire, Roberto Garreton, states that large-scale massacres have been perpetrated by ADFL troops and that many mass graves are to be found in the territory under their control,

1. Urges Mr Kabila and the main figures in Zairean politics as a whole to accept the establishment of a transitional government that will bring to an end the dictatorial regime of Mr Mobutu and that can run the country's affairs pending the holding of free and democratic elections;

2. Calls for democratic, free and fair elections to be held in accordance with internationally accepted rules, and for the procedures for such elections to be laid down under a global agreement between all the relevant political parties, representatives of civil society and with the support of the UN;

3. Calls on the Council to promote a major initiative to support the transition process in particular by:

(a) facilitating in every possible way the work of the UN and OAU special envoy, Mohamed Sahnoun;

(b) providing adequate financial and technical assistance to the organization of democratic elections under international supervision;

(c) promoting the organization of a regional conference for peace, security and stability, with a programme based on the defence of the populations' interests, democracy and respect for human rights;

4. Condemns all acts of violence committed against Rwandan refugees still present on Zairean territory and calls on the leaders of the ADFL to make every effort, in the areas under their control, to enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to the Rwandan refugees, without imposing any prior conditions or extorting any financial compensation;

5. Calls for an independent international inquiry to be conducted under UN auspices with a view to establishing the true facts regarding the reports of mass graves in the area controlled by the ADFL; demands that Mr Kabila ensure that the committee of inquiry is given free access to eastern Zaire;

6. Supports the efforts of the Commission and of the humanitarian organizations on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance in extremely difficult circumstances;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Secretary-General of the OAU, the governments of Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa, and the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire.