B4-0044, 0059 and 0079/99

Resolution on future developments in Iraq

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Iraq, especially its resolutions of 19 September 1996 ((OJ C 320, 28.10.1996, p. 189.)) and 17 July 1997 ((OJ C 286, 22.9.1997, p. 258.)),

- having regard to UN Security Council resolution 687 (1991) establishing a ceasefire in Iraq,

- having regard to the EU Action Plan on the influx of migrants from Iraq of 22 January 1998,

A. whereas no-fly zones were established in Northern Iraq in 1991 and in Southern Iraq in 1992,

B. whereas the UN (UNSCOM) inspections provide sufficient evidence to indicate that Iraq still possesses biological weapons, contrary to its original claims, and in all probability also ballistic missiles and chemical weapons and the means of producing those in considerable numbers,

C. whereas in the past Saddam Hussein and his regime have used and threatened to use their weapons of mass destruction, both against States in the region and against their own people,

D. whereas the Iraqi regime, since the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 687 (1991), has consistently sought to obstruct and block the UN mandated inspections and has finally ended all cooperation with UNSCOM,

E. emphasising that no-fly zones were established in order to prevent the violent repression of the Kurdish people in Northern Iraq and of the Shi'ite people in Southern Iraq,

F. whereas protection from the air has become all the more necessary because Iraqi ground troops continue their repression, notably of the Shi'ite population, by stationing an increased number of troops in the area,

G. noting that President Saddam Hussein has stopped cooperation with the UN's Oil-for-Food programme, which will substantially increase the hardship and the suffering of the population of Iraq as a whole,

H. stressing that a political solution needs to be found to the conflicts in all regions of Iraq; stressing furthermore that full compliance by Iraq with all UN Security Council resolutions has to be assured,

I. stressing that a lasting solution to the problem of refugees from these regions is dependent on such a political solution,

J. noting that the PUK and KDP signed an agreement in Washington on 17 September 1998 in order to resolve their conflict and to promote peace and democracy in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq; whereas this agreement specifies elections for an autonomous government on 1 July 1999 while respecting the territorial integrity of Iraq,

K. whereas the European Council has not defined an EU position on a possible solution to the crises in Iraq,

1. Condemns the non-compliance by Saddam Hussein and his regime with UN Security Council resolution 687 (1991) and subsequent resolutions;

2. Calls in that context for full and unconditional compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz;

3. Stresses once again that the no-fly zones in Northern and Southern Iraq remain necessary in order to prevent further repression by the Iraqi regime against the Kurdish people in Northern Iraq and against the Shi'ite people in Southern Iraq; therefore calls on international forces in the region to maintain the no-fly zones;

4. Calls on the UN Security Council and each of its Members to react to Saddam Hussein¨s defiance of the UN in such a way that effective measures can be taken to prevent his regime from keeping or acquiring weapons of mass destruction, including the capabilities of producing such weapons;

5. Calls therefore on the UN Security Council to maintain UNSCOM with its current powers and responsibilities;

6. Calls on the Council and especially on its Presidency to make fresh efforts aimed at defining an EU position with regard to the solution of the crises in Iraq and asks EU Member States on the UN Security Council to represent that position at UN level;

7. Urges the Council to start, in cooperation with the United States and the neighbouring states in the region, the necessary process of establishing respect for the rule of law and basic human and democratic rights in Iraq and urges the Council and the Commission to make all efforts to support the democratic opposition in Iraq;

8. Welcomes the agreement between the Kurdish parties and hopes that it will mean a definitive end to conflict between Kurdish organisations in this region;

9. Calls on the Council and Commission to assist in the implementation of the agreement and, in particular, to consider using the EU's proven expertise to provide technical support to the electoral process and to ensure a strong international observer presence at these elections, as requested by the parties;

10. Demands that increased humanitarian aid, especially through the delivery of food and medical supplies, be given to the civilian population of Iraq, by way of an immediate and substantial increase in the Oil-for-Food programme, once the Iraqi regime lifts its blockade thereof, as well as by direct aid from the European Union's ECHO programme; emphasises, however, that this aid should be distributed without intervention from official Iraqi bodies and calls upon the Iraqi regime to end all obstruction to this distribution of humanitarian aid;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Secretary-General, the Member States of the UN Security Council and the Government of Iraq.