B3-1432, 1460, 1464, 1475 and 1485/93

Resolution on the situation in Haiti

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to its previous resolutions, in particular that adopted on 11 February 1993 as well as those of the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly, in particular that of 7 October 1993,

B.appalled at the reign of terror established in Haiti by the military dictatorship,

C.whereas the process of democratization initiated in Haiti, following the parliamentary and presidential elections in which Father Aristide was elected president, was brutally interrupted by a bloody coup under General Cedras,

D.pointing out that, as a result of international pressure on those who had taken part in the putsch, an agreement between President Aristide and General Cedras was reached on 3 July 1993 in New York under the auspices of the United Nations and the OAS,

E.stressing that, under this agreement, President Aristide is to be restored to office on 30 October 1993 following the resignation of General Cedras,

F.noting the unanimous resolution by the United Nations Security Council to reimpose sanctions, including an oil and arms embargo, with effect from 19 October,

G.having regard to the disastrous economic situation in Haiti, where unemployment and poverty have increased considerably following the closure of numerous factories, agricultural production has dropped and industry is in decline,

H.whereas Haiti is a signatory to the Lomé IV Agreement and is one of the ACP countries with which the European Community has a special relationship,

1.Condemns the reign of terror established in Haiti by the military dictatorship;

2.Strongly condemns the murder of the Minister of Justice, Mr Guy Malavy;

3.Condemns the excesses committed by the military junta against the people of Haiti, by violence and intimidation aimed at preventing a return to democracy and the rule of law and the return of President Aristide;

4.Calls on the Community and its Member States - acting, with effect from 1 November 1993, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on European Union - to do everything in their power to promote the implementation of the Governor's Island Agreement;

5.Calls on European Political Cooperation to consider, in conjunction with the OAS, what steps can be taken to bring to justice those members of the military junta known to be involved in the international drugs trade;

6.Calls on the Commission to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population and to ensure that the trade embargo does not apply to foodstuffs and medicaments, which constitute the civilian population's prime needs and ask the Commission to ensure that this aid reaches the civilian population;

7.Calls on the Commission, following the return of President Aristide and the restoration of democracy, to normalize its relations with Haiti and to support Haiti's economy;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the European Council, European Political Cooperation, the Commission, the members of the UN Security Council, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Secretary-General of the OAS, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly and the Prime Minister of Haiti.