Resolution on the famine in North Korea

10(e)B4-0418/97

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the dramatically worsening food shortage in North Korea which has reportedly cost over 100 000 lives since 1995,

B. alarmed that the North Korean government itself has admitted the deaths of 134 children from starvation,

C. having regard to the flooding which has devastated North Korea in the last two years and which has destroyed large proportions of the crops,

D. having regard to the urgent warnings from international organizations such as the UN World Food Programme and the international league of Red Cross and Red Crescent associations that food supplies in North Korea are practically exhausted and the population has been reduced to eating grass and tree bark,

E. having regard to the urgent appeal by the UN to its members for financial and practical support in organizing food aid and the provision of other aid supplies to a total value of US$ 126 million for the North Korean population,

F. having regard to the appeal by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization for the establishment of a US $ 14.3 million aid programme to help North Korea grow more grain, rice and vegetables,

G. whereas any EU financial contribution would simply go into the pockets of US industry, which is collaborating with South Korean firms to build two light-water reactors,

1. Underlines that the North Korean Government has its own responsibility for taking the necessary steps to open up the economy and allowing its people to participate in trade and development;

2. Calls on the Commission and Council to take all necessary action forthwith to support the UN in its effort to alleviate the famine in North Korea;

3. Criticizes the attitude of the US and South Korea in making the delivery of major food aid dependent on peace talks;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, and the governments of the Member States, the US, Japan and North and South Korea.