RESOLUTION B3-0053 and 0064/93

Resolution on Somalia

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the continuing civil war that has plunged Somalia into anarchy and brought on famine in which at least 300 000 people have died,

B.deploring the collapse of central authority into gun gangs which have swept the country into political crisis, with insecurity, torture and starvation, and destabilized the unarmed population of Somalia, including women and children,

C.aware of the severe difficulties of security and logistics associated with the deliveries of food and other aid to the people of Somalia by the international aid agencies,

D.whereas 23 Non-Governmental Organizations from Africa, Europe and America have for a considerable time been making an essential expert contribution under dangerous conditions to food and water supplies, health care, education and housing,

E.welcoming the recent deployment and operation of United Nations security personnel, in particular those of the USA, and urging the combatant factions in Somalia to cooperate fully with United Nations personnel to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid supplies intended for civilians,

F.welcoming the declaration of 10 January 1993 in Addis Ababa by all Somali factions to agree to an immediate ceasefire and to start disarming their militaries,

G.deploring the recent breakdown of peace talks,

1.Condemns the continued loss of life and calls on the UN military personnel to contribute actively to any programme of disarmament;

2.Demands that all Somali factions continue efforts to draw up a national charter and discuss forming a new interim government and calls on the international community, UN, OAU and EC to work closely to ensure the success of these efforts;

3.Requests other international aid donors to follow the EC efforts and increase humanitarian aid to meet the needs of Somali people, both displaced and refugees;

4.Urges the international aid donors to organize a conference, in collaboration with the African countries directly affected, on the economic and democratic reconstruction of Somalia;

5.Commends the neighbouring countries, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya for bearing the burden of hosting and providing material assistance to Somali refugees;

6.Calls on the EC Member States and other international donors to prepare for future rehabilitation programmes as well as for participation in peace-keeping operations, under UN auspices, once the present intervention forces have fulfilled their mission;

7.Calls on United Nations Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali to maintain the current deployment of UN peacekeeping forces and other efforts on the spot, on the basis of an ongoing dialogue with the NGOs present, and at the same time to use every diplomatic means available to ensure Somalia's economic and democratic renewal;

8.Urges the UN to begin preparations, at the conference of reconciliation scheduled for 15 March 1993, for a Marshall Plan for Somalia aimed, in the long term, at reconstructing its agriculture and infrastructure, resolving its debt problems and promoting economic cooperation with other countries;

9.Calls on the United Nations monitoring group to ensure lasting peace by taking possession of all heavy weapons under the control of political movements for safekeeping, until such time as a legitimate Somali government can take them over;

10.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Secretary-General of the UN, the OAU and the Somalian Government.