B4-0054, 0057, 0060, 0075, 0088 and 0099/99

Resolution on the situation in Angola

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Angola,

- having regard to the EU declaration of 28 December 1998,

- having regard to the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions,

A. deploring the recent resumption of major fighting in central Angola between Government and UNITA forces that poses a serious threat to the peace process and to the implementation of the Lusaka protocol,

B. whereas UNITA bears the main responsibility for this grave setback in the peace process, through its failure to demilitarise its forces and to facilitate the extension of state administration, and through its defiance of the pressing demands of the Security Council and the international community,

C. regretting the shooting down since Christmas of two UN transport planes near the city of Huambo, besieged by UNITA, and the lack of cooperation by both sides with UN efforts to reach the crash sites,

D. whereas the only hope for a lasting peace in Angola resides in a political solution through the full and unconditional implementation of the Lusaka protocol and relevant UN Security Council resolutions,

E. strongly endorsing the demand by the UN Security Council that UNITA comply immediately and without conditions with its obligations, and supporting the full and immediate implementation of the measures against UNITA contained in UN Security Council resolutions 864 of 15 September 1993, 1127 of 28 August 1997 and 1173 of 12 June 1998, particularly with regard to arms and diamonds,

F. perturbed at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Angola, especially following the suspension of United Nations World Food Programme aid flights after the shooting down of UN aircraft,

G. reaffirming the need to maintain an international observation mission in Angola and concerned at the danger of a complete and definitive withdrawal of the United Nations from that country,

H. whereas the Angolan population lives in abject poverty despite the natural resources of the country, which are used to finance the conflict,

1. Condemns firmly the resumption of the war which constitutes a serious setback to the peace process and urges both parties to declare and implement an immediate ceasefire;

2. Reminds the parties involved that there can be no military solution to the conflict and that only a return to the Lusaka protocol will allow the Angolan people to find peace and establish a democratic government;

3. Reiterates its urgent appeal to UNITA to implement unconditionally and without further delay its commitments under the Lusaka protocol;

4. Until such time, calls on the UN and the EU to maintain strong international pressure on UNITA, particularly through improved implementation and tightening of existing UN sanctions;

5. Calls for a thorough and urgent investigation by the Commission into the conduct of the diamond trade with a view to eliminating smuggling by UNITA to fund its war effort;

6. Calls on the Government of Angola and in particular on UNITA to respect human rights and to cooperate fully with MONUA and the UN Special Representative, Mr Issa DIALLO, as well as with the humanitarian organisations in the delivery of emergency relief assistance;

7. Condemns the shooting down of the UN airplanes while transporting humanitarian aid supplies and asks all parties to cooperate fully with the UN rescue requests which include a ceasefire to conduct a search of the crash sites;

8. Remains convinced of the continuing need for a strong UN involvement in Angola and calls on the UN Security Council to extend the mandate of MONUA beyond 26 February 1999;

9. Calls on the Commission to provide the necessary resources to contribute to humanitarian aid, and on the parties involved to cooperate fully with humanitarian organisations and to guarantee the safety of their personnel;

10. Condemns the use of antipeople mines and urges all the parties to refrain immediately from using any kind of these particularly inhuman weapons;

11. Asks the EU, furthermore, to take a special initiative in the field of mine clearing in order to eliminate one of the major obstacles to building a peace economy;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly, the UN Security Council, the OUA, the Government of Angola and UNITA.