WRITTEN QUESTION E-2401/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(28 August 2001)

Subject: Arms embargo to prevent continued violence between the warring parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo

1. Has the Council noted the reply given by the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs to questions from the Dutch Parliament (No 1533) concerning the renewed tension in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), in which he states that the Netherlands has pressed several times at European level for an arms embargo for the region, but that there is unfortunately not enough support for such an embargo within the EU?

2. What possibilities does the Council see for a peaceful solution in eastern Congo as long as the warring parties within the country and foreign intervention troops continue to have at their disposal a constant supply of arms, contributing to a continuous shift in the boundaries of spheres of influence?

3. Are the large-scale mining in the Rwandan-controlled province of Kivu of the mineral coltan, which is important in the manufacture of mobile phones and computers, and the income with which it provides regional leaders, helping make possible the purchase of substantial supplies of arms?

4. Is the Council aware of the origin of such arms, and are they in some cases supplied by companies with registered offices in Member States of the European Union?

5. What are the reasons why no arms embargo has to date been imposed by the EU?

6. Is the Council prepared to declare an arms embargo soon in order to prevent continued bloodshed, devastation and refugee problems?

Reply

(6 December 2001)

1. The Council has noted the reply given by the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs to questions from the Dutch Parliament (No 1533).

2. The Council reiterates its strong support for the Lusaka Agreement as the consensual basis for peace in the DRC and in the region. The possibilities the Council sees for a peaceful solution in Eastern Congo as well as in the rest of the DRC depend on the following three elements: a complete, definitive and unconditional withdrawal of foreign troops from the country, a full implementation of the DDRRR (disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration, repatriation and resettlement) programme and a successful outcome to the inter-Congolese dialogue.

3. The UN report of the Panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is expected to be published shortly. This report should help UN members and the EU to form a well-founded opinion on the problems raised by the honourable Member of Parliament.

4. The Council is not aware of the origin of arms that are illegally sold in the region. It recalls that the EU Member States are bound by its Code of Conduct on Arms exports adopted in 1998 and the EU declaration concerning arms flows to and in the Great Lakes region issued on 18 June 1999, in which the EU underlines its determination to strictly implement it.

5. The Council is of the opinion that events on the ground have moved forward and, rather than an arms embargo, it is necessary for the international community to give support and finance to the peace process. In May 2000 the Council had mandated its relevant bodies to consider whether an arms embargo on the parties to the conflict would be appropriate and to define measures targeting illicit trade and activities linked to the conflict. This request was extensively debated and in February 2001 the Council stated that it would consider appropriate measures which could be imposed if parties failed to honour their commitments under the Lusaka Agreement and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.