B3-0693 and 0713/93

Resolution on the Israeli captives and missing-in-action in Lebanon

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the capture and subsequent detention of an Israeli navigator, Captain Ron Arad, who was forced to abandon his aircraft on 16 October 1986, over southern Lebanon;

B.concerned that since September 1987, there has been no communication from Captain Arad and that he has never during six and a half years of captivity been allowed a visit from any humanitarian organization including the International Red Cross, or from members of his family;

C.noting that three other Israeli soldiers (Zachary Baumel, Zvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz) are missing since a tank battle at Sultan Yakub in Lebanon;

D.welcoming the efforts made by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Boutros Boutros GHALI, and by the former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Giandomenico PICCO, to negotiate with all parties concerned in Lebanon, both Lebanese and Syrian, for the release of the Israeli hostages and encouraging the Secretary General to continue his efforts;

E.moved by the visit of Captain Arad's mother, Mrs Batya Arad, and two brothers to the European Parliament on 10 February 1993, as part of their efforts to secure his release;

1.Calls on Syria to use its influence in the area and on Iran to bring about the release of Captain Arad;

2.Calls on Syria as the country whose armoured forces were involved in the battle of Sultan Yakub to investigate the case and to take all necessary measures to clarify the fate of Zachary Baumel, Zvi Feldman and Yehuda Katz who are reported missing since this battle;

3.Calls on Lebanon, the country in the territory of which all the above-mentioned events have taken place, to do its utmost to bring about the release of the hostages and to let them return in safety to their families;

4.Invites all parties involved to respect all the relevant provisions of the Geneva conventions,

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Governments of Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Iran and the Secretary General of the United Nations.