The situation of the Kurds in Iraq

The European Parliament,

A. gravely concerned at the present plight of the Iraqi Kurds

and other people living in the region, who are suffering

from hunger and cold in bitter winter conditions, due to

the blockade on their supplies of food, fuel and medicines

imposed by the régime of Saddam Hussein in contravention of

UN Security Council Resolution No. 688,

B. alarmed at the renewed attacks on the Kurdish population by

the armed forces of Saddam Hussein and by the risk that

they will increase after the expiry of the Memorandum of

Understanding on 30 June 1992,

C. stressing the responsibility of Iran and Turkey in helping

relief agencies to reach those affected as easily and as

quickly as possible,

D. deeply disturbed by the pressure exerted by Saddam Hussein

on representatives of the United Nations and of NGOs in

Iraq,

E. deeply concerned also that the Turkish authorities have

launched new air attacks against Kurdish villages in

northern Iraq,

F. having regard to the reports submitted by national and

international aid organization workers active in Iraqi

Kurdistan indicating that this region is still infested

with vast numbers of anti-personnel mines - partly of

European origin - and the number of persons injured by

these mines is rising dramatically,

G. recalling the substantial contribution of the European

Community and its Member States in providing humanitarian

aid to the Iraqi Kurds following their mass exodus to

Turkey and Iran at the end of the Gulf War,

1. Condemns the blockade imposed by Saddam Hussein which

prevents vital supplies from reaching the Iraqi Kurds;

2. Insists on the duty of the 12 Member States, acting where

appropriate through the Community institutions, to ensure

that UN Security Council Resolution 688 is enforced and

calls on the Governments of the Member States to bring to

the notice of the UN Security Council this violation of

Resolution No. 688 and to urge the international community

to ensure the resumption of supplies to the Iraqi Kurds;

3. Calls on the United Nations to guarantee the security of

the Kurdish refugees and the population in Northern Iraq

until full respect for human rights is guaranteed in Iraq

and, if necessary, to extend the mandate of the allied

military authorities which expires in June 1992;

4. Calls on the Commission and the Governments of the Member

States to set an immediate example whereby supplies of

food, fuel and medicines are urgently restored, on the

understanding that this may require the organization by the

European Community of relief convoys, if necessary to be

escorted under UN authority;

5. Calls on the Governments of Turkey and Iran to cooperate

fully in such an exercise;

6. Calls on the Commission and the Governments of the Member

States to take the necessary measures to provide such

additional funds and direct assistance as may be required

for this emergency operation;

7. Urges the Community and its Member States to make available

as soon as possible equipment and personnel to remove and

dispose of all anti-personnel mines in Iraqi Kurdistan;

8. Insists that the newly established European Office of

Emergency Aid should play its full role, according to its

statutes, in assisting the Iraqi Kurds, including those

remaining in Iran and Turkey, and instructs its Bureau to

give it a complete report about this emergency;

9. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the local

authorities, to draw up a reconstruction programme for the

region, with particular reference to agriculture, housing

and the supply of drinking water;

10. Insists that the Turkish authorities cease the air attacks

against villages in northern Iraq which have caused the

death of civilians;

11. Insists that the PKK stop their acts of violence;

12. Calls on the Community and the Member States, in

consultation with the Kurdish authorities, to support the

elections to political bodies in Iraqi Kurdistan scheduled

for 3 April by providing technical assistance and to ensure

that the elections go ahead without a hitch and that the

political outcome is respected;

13. Calls on the Commission to give a written and oral report

to the next part-session of Parliament on the action

undertaken in accordance with this Resolution;

14. Instructs its President to forward this Resolution to the

Commission, the Council, European Political Cooperation and

to the Governments of the Member States, as well as to the

Secretary-General of the UN and Members of the Security

Council and to the Governments of Turkey, Iran and Iraq.