The European Parliament,

whereas the massacres, murders and arbitrary arrests perpetrated against the Tuaregs, which have led to a mass exodus by the civilian population, are continuing despite the statements regarding democratization made by the governments of Niger and Mali and the 'National Pact concluded between the Government of the Republic of Mali and the Azaouad movements and united fronts laying down the special status of Northern Mali',

shocked by the reports of a massacre of Tuaregs at Gossi in Mali in May 1992, following an attack on a Norwegian church aid vehicle which, it is alleged, was organised by the local gendarmerie and blamed on the Tuaregs,

whereas this persecution is being carried out on ethnic grounds,

having regard to the diversion of food aid by the army and the lack of genuine development projects to assist the Tuaregs,

whereas, despite the efforts to establish dialogue made by the National Peace Conference, the Niger army has now massed troops in the north of the country and is preparing to launch a round of murderous attacks,

concerned at the impending threat of genocide,

recalling its resolution of 13 September 1990 on the Tuareg peopleOJ No. C 260, 15.10.1990, p. 141,

Condemns strongly the arrests and executions of Tuaregs and calls for the release of persons imprisoned solely on the grounds of their ethnic origin or non-violent opinions;

Welcomes the agreement reached between the Malian Government and the Tuareg organizations, but notes that it is not being applied; calls on the Malian Government to enforce the agreement by granting the bodies set up under its terms the requisite powers and resources;

Calls on the authorities in Niger to establish genuine dialogue with a view to reconciliation with the Tuaregs and to call off the military operations currently being prepared;

Calls for an international committee of inquiry to be set up to establish responsibility for the Tchin-Tabaradene, Gao, Timbuktu, Léré, Gossi and Foïta massacres;

Believes it is essential to grant the regions of northern Niger a degree of administrative autonomy, for which the Tuaregs themselves should be responsible, this being the only sure way to restore confidence;

Calls on the Malian and Niger authorities to grant the Tuaregs and their goods freedom of movement and to recognize the Tuaregs as full citizens;

Believes that at this time it is incumbent on the EC and its Member States to impress on the governments and political forces in Mali and Niger that the treatment of the Tuaregs in the future will have a decisive influence on the aid policies and relations of the EC and its Member States with both countries;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, EPC, the Governments of Mali and Niger, the Secretary-General of the OAU and the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly.