WRITTEN QUESTION P-3349/01

by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Council

(28 November 2001)

Subject: 'Enduring Freedom'

The war against Afghanistan, conducted by the USA and the coalition of states against terrorism in response to the criminal acts perpetrated on 11 September 2001 in New York and Washington, seems to have achieved significant objectives.

Leading newspapers are now describing as imminent and inevitable a military attack by the USA on Iraq, a country already hard hit by the embargo and the previous conflict in the Gulf region, in the course of which shortages of food and medicines resulted in thousands of children dying every day.

Our resolute condemnation of all forms of terrorism goes hand in hand with the acknowledgement that this battle must be fought to the bitter end in order to eradicate blind, barbaric fanaticism. However, a military response on its own is inadequate if not combined with diplomatic and intelligence measures.

Can the Council state:

- what practical measures it intends to take to prevent the conflict spreading to Iraq and what countermeasures it plans to adopt in order to ensure that defenceless population groups are not the only victims of the fight against terrorism;

- whether it sees a need to launch a determined, bold diplomatic campaign so that the embargo, which no longer applies to Pakistan and India, can also be lifted in the case of Iraq in return for appropriate concessions in connection with the fight against terrorism.

Reply

(18 March 2002)

The European Council of Ghent confirmed the EU's support for the military operations in Afghanistan which began on 7 October 2001 and which are legitimate under the terms of the United Nations Charter and of Resolution 1368 of the United Nations Security Council. To date, there is no evidence of a direct link between the attacks of 11 September and the Iraqi authorities.

The European Council of Laeken on 14-15 December 2001 confirmed the EU's commitment to the efforts of the international community with a view to restoring stability in Afghanistan on the basis of the outcome of the Bonn Conference and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. With regard to the situation of civilian populations, the European Council also confirmed that the urgent needs of the Afghan people mean that humanitarian aid continues to be an absolute priority. The EU and the Member States will make available, along with other donors, all the humanitarian aid necessary to cover the needs of the Afghan population and Afghan refugees. The EU will also help the Afghan people and its new leaders rebuild the country and encourage as swift a return to democracy as possible.

With regard to sanctions on Iraq, the EU remains committed to the full implementation of all UN Security Council Resolutions pertaining to Iraq. In particular, the EU calls for the implementation of all the provisions of Resolutions 687 and 1 284, which specify the obligations of Iraq in several areas including weapons of mass destruction, and the way to suspension and lifting of the prohibitions imposed by the Council.

There can be no doubt that the key to suspension and lifting of sanctions rests in the hands of the Government of Iraq. The EU regrets that, as a result of Iraq's failure to fulfil its international obligations, the conditions do not exist which would enable the Council to lift the prohibitions imposed under Resolution 687. The EU has urged Iraq to comply with its obligations as provided for in the relevant Security Council Resolutions.

The EU has strong sympathy for the fate of the Iraqi population and remains the largest contributor of humanitarian aid and assistance to Iraq. The EU strongly supports the ongoing deliberations within the Security Council with the purpose of alleviating the predicament of the Iraqi civilian population.