B3-0691, 0757, 0767, 0777, and 0780/93

Resolution on the threat to the Iraqi Kurds

The European Parliament,

A.profoundly alarmed by the signs that Saddam Hussein is continuing his policies of terror against the Iraqi Kurds,

B.deeply concerned at the Iranian regime's breach of international borders and violation of the no-fly zone over Iraq,

C.whereas the security of the Kurdish people in northern Iraq has been secured since the end of the Gulf War by the 'safe havens' policy of the UN, which includes the presence of UN troops,

D.whereas the UN is being forced to reduce the number of such troops through lack of funds due to the failure of UN member states to pay their dues,

E.whereas the policy of 'safe havens' is further secured by daily flights over Iraqi Kurdistan by allied aircraft based at Turkish air bases,

F.whereas the democratic institutions of Iraqi Kurdistan and the security of the inhabitants of the region are threatened by several simultaneous events:

-the occupation since 23 April 1993 of the Penjwin region by Iranian forces;

-the multiplication of Iraqi military attacks and murder attempts by the Iraqi secret services against the Kurdish population and persons working for humanitarian organizations;

-the withdrawal of the 25-dinar notes by the Iraqi authorities, aimed at stifling the economy of Kurdistan,

G.gravely concerned that Saddam Hussein is able to continue to harass UN officials and to continue to impose his reign of terror on the Iraqi population in spite of the existing Security Council resolutions on the subject,

H.recalling its previous resolutions on the policies of mass murder practised by Saddam Hussein and the positions adopted by the Security Council, in particular Resolution 688,

1.Condemns the continued attacks on the Iraqi Kurds by the Baghdad regime;

2.Condemns the invasion of the Penjwin region in Iraqi Kurdistan by Iran and the May 25th air attack against NLA bases, and calls for the immediate withdrawal of Iranian forces; and invites the Community Member States to raise the matter of this flagrant breach of international law on the Security Council;

3.Stresses the enormous damage that will be done to the authority of the UN and to the international standing of Member States if Saddam Hussein succeeds in reimposing his tyranny throughout Iraq in total contradiction of the positions adopted by the Security Council, especially Resolution 688;

4.Urges, therefore, the states supporting the UN, including the Member States of the EC, to make plain to Saddam Hussein that renewed attacks on the Iraqi Kurds will lead to stronger measures against his regime;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, European Political Cooperation, the member states of the Security Council, the Governments of Iraq, Iran and Turkey, the National Assembly of Kurdistan, the Iraqi National Congress, the special UN rapporteur on Iraq, the Secretary-General of the Arab League and the Secretary-General of the Conference of Islamic States.