RESOLUTION B3-0197, 0211, 0224, 0229, 0244 and 0245/93

Resolution on the situation in Zaire

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the recent disturbances in Kinshasa which have resulted in several hundred deaths, including that of the French Ambassador,

B.whereas President Mobutu bears a heavy responsibility for these events in introducing a currency which was not recognized by the transitional government to pay the military's wages,

C.concerned at the removal from office of the transitional Prime Minister, Mr Etienne Tshisekedi, by President Mobutu in defiance of the decisions of the National Conference,

D.condemning President Mobuto's inability to provide effective government and the fact that instead he is using whatever pressure he can to destabilize the government and has spared no effort in sabotaging the democratic reforms and the measures taken by the new government,

E.Considering that President Mobutu and part of his army, led by the special presidential division, remain in power, despite persistent human rights violations and economic stagnation, and contrary to the democratization efforts of the popular National Conference established since 1991,

F.concerned at the chaotic situation and the incessant attacks by President Mobutu on the democratic process,

G.Recalling its previous resolutions calling for the freezing of President Mobutu's assets in Europe and noting with interest that this proposal has received the support of senior Belgian civil servants and others,

1.Condemns President Mobutu's policies which have prompted looting and killing by mutinous soldiers in several towns, resulting in hundreds of innocent victims;

2.Supports the declaration adopted on 1 February 1993 by the Foreign Ministers of the Community calling for Mr Etienne Tshisekedi's transitional government to exercise its prerogatives and that of the Belgian, French and American governments calling for the removal from office of President Mobutu;

3.Calls, therefore, on the Twelve to exert real pressure on President Mobutu to comply with the decisions taken by the transitional government and to refrain from any steps which would obstruct such decisions,

4.Calls on the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States to make every effort to isolate President Mobuto and his military supporters internationally, to freeze all aid and investment which could support the present régime; accordingly supports the continued suspension of all Community development aid to Zaire, except humanitarian aid, as a protest against President Mobutu's blockage of the efforts by the national conference to promote democracy;

5.Calls for further cooperation between the Community and the Member State governments with the Supreme Council of the Republic in order to provide Zaire with a fresh prospect of democracy and economic recovery;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the transitional government of Zaire and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.