WRITTEN QUESTION P-1568/02

by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(28 May 2002)

Subject: The EU and the risk of war between India and Pakistan

The extremely serious developments of recent days would appear to point towards the possibility of an all-out war between India and Pakistan, which would have a disastrous effect on the entire region given that both countries have nuclear weapons. Would the Council not agree that it should take urgent diplomatic action, using all the means at its disposal, including a mission by High Representative Javier Solana, to avert such a tragedy?

Joint answerto Written Questions P-1568/02 and P-1641/02

(5 November 2002)

1. The Council shares the Honourable MEPs' preoccupation over the state of Indo-Pakistani relations, and in particular over the continuing military stand-off at the Line of Control (LoC) over the past few months. The Council also agrees that an all-out war between the two countries would have disastrous effects on the entire region and beyond.

2. The European Council in Seville on 21 and 22 June 2002 discussed the tensions between India and Pakistan and issued a declaration, calling on Pakistan to take further concrete action to stop infiltration across the Line of Control and to prevent terrorist groups from operating from territory under its control. The European Council encouraged India to be ready to respond with further de-escalatory

steps, and stressed the importance of free, fair and inclusive elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The European Council also confirmed the EU's commitment to work with India and Pakistan and with others in the international community, seeking for possible confidence-building measures in order to defuse the immediate crisis, and to continue to encourage both countries to achieve a lasting solution through bilateral dialogue between them.

3. The Council has discussed the evolution of the situation on several occasions, and most recently at the GACs on 10 and 17 June 2002. Several high-level personalities, including UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Straw, and Commissioner Patten, have recently visited the region. Others have maintained regular telephone contacts with the Indian and Pakistani leadership. The EU has also raised the issue in various high-level political dialogue meetings including with the US, Russia, Japan, and other G8 partners in order to contribute to a coordinated international effort.

Finally, the Council has in public statements repeatedly condemned the terrorist attacks in the region, and urged both sides to resume a dialogue with a view to a negotiated settlement of all contentious issues.

4. The Council welcomes the initial steps which both countries have taken recently to defuse the crisis. These steps have reduced the risk of an all-out war. The Council in particular welcomes the initial steps taken by Pakistan to clamp down on cross-border terrorism, and the de-escalatory measures announced by India in response.

5. In order to contribute to a lasting solution to the conflict, Mr Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for CFSP, held discussions with the Indian and Pakistani governments in New Delhi and Islamabad on 26 and 27 July 2002.