The European Parliament,

having regard to the fact that Togo, under military rule for 24 years, is one of the African nations on the path to democracy,

whereas, following the violent demonstrations in October 1990, the President of the Republic of Togo announced that a multiparty system would replace one party rule; having regard to the decisions taken by the Sovereign National Conference with a view to holding free elections,

whereas, on 5 May 1992, Mr Gilchrist Olympio, a likely candidate for the presidency of the republic, received gunshot wounds in an ambush on a road near Sokodé, and whereas four other persons, including the President of the Togolese Union for Reconciliation, were killed in the ambush,

having regard to the fact that since then human rights have been violated in the context of a process of destabilization, and the elections indefinitely postponed,

whereas international delegations visiting Togo are concerned at the lack of moderation across the political spectrum, the lack of neutrality of the army in the democratization process, and the danger of a return to authoritarian rule,

having regard to the fact that failure of the democratic transition in Togo will have serious implications for democracy, good governance and human rights in other African States,

Expresses the hope that all transitional institutions and actors will take vigorous steps to cooperate and reestablish an electoral calendar, preferably before 28 August 1992;

Expresses the hope that, in a democratic spirit of reconciliation and a mutual exchange of guarantees between the transitional institutions, all initiatives will be taken to secure respect for human rights and a return to the democratic transition process;

Sincerely hopes that the decisions taken by the Sovereign National Conference can be implemented and calls on the Commission to grant the necessary loans for logistical support with a view to organizing free elections;

Expresses the hope that the army will solemnly declare its neutrality in the elections and the democratic transition as a prerequisite for a return to stable progress towards democracy and calls on it to refrain from any activities likely to favour any one particular candidate during the election campaign;

Calls on the Commission and Council to maintain their position whereby respect for human rights remains the central criterion in their policy on relations with Togo, both within the framework of the European Community and as regards European development cooperation;

Calls on European Political Cooperation to make representations to Togo's Head of State to make him aware of the importance which the European Community attaches to the smooth running of the elections and the maintenance of civil peace and to draw his attention to the danger of the country being isolated in the event of a coup d'état;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, European Political Cooperation, the governments of the Member States, the OAU and the Togolese authorities.