Published by: World Tibet Network News Wednesday, December 17, 1997

BRUSSELS, Dec 17 (AFP) - British Euro-MP Glenys Kinnock pressed Wednesday for a halt to an EU development project in Tibet, citing China's rule over the Himalayan territory.

In a statement, Kinnock -- speaking on behalf of the European Parliament's socialist group -- said the Panam project would be used to produce wheat for the benefit of Chinese settlers.

That would be far different from the original plan of spending 369 million ecus (408.1 million dollars) on health and education projects set up by Tibetan non-governmental groups, he said.

"If China does not allow us to enter Tibet and oversee the end use of our assistance, it is obvious that we cannot keep up this aid program," Kinnock said in a French version of the statement.

EU aid for Tibet has been interrupted before, in January 1995, amid controversy over how it was being used. Its current phase began in May 1995.