B3-0211, 0221, 0229, 0232, 0233 and 0234/94

Resolution on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions on Bosnia-Herzegovina,

A.expressing its abhorrence at the continuing systematic attacks on innocent citizens which culminated in the massacre that took place in Sarajevo on 5 February 1994, causing the deaths of at least 68 people and wounding another 200,

B.shocked that the continuing violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina has caused the deaths of four more citizens of the European Union, three Italian journalists and one British aid worker,

C.recognizing that European and other UN ground forces have been undertaking superbly a difficult job within the operating constrictions given to them,

D.recalling that the principle of multi-ethnicity and anti-apartheid determines Parliament's attitude vis-à-vis the parties involved in the conflict in the former Yugoslavia,

E.noting with indignation the failure so far of all efforts to reach a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina,

F.noting that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros Ghali, has, after consultation with the UN commanders in Bosnia-Herzegovina, requested NATO and its member states to implement its decisions of 10 and 11 January 1994 and to create the possibility of carrying out limited air strikes to accompany the UN efforts to protect Sarajevo and other safe areas in Bosnia-Herzegovina and to protect the UNPROFOR contingent and the aid convoys in Bosnia-Herzegovina,

1.Expresses its revulsion at the fact that already during the conflict more that 200 000 people have been killed in Bosnia-Herzegovina and more that 10 000 in Sarajevo alone, including many children;

2.Endorses the decision of the North Atlantic Council of 9 February 1994 that the Bosnian Serb forces must withdraw their artillery and other heavy weapons 20 kilometres from Sarajevo within 10 days and also endorses the ultimatum and its consequences as formulated by NATO;

3.Joins with the North Atlantic Council in appealing to the parties to respect the ceasefire and to all concerned that they should make every effort, during this ten day period, to achieve by agreement the withdrawal or control of heavy weapons;

4.Demands also that every effort must be made to protect the other "safe areas" and to guarantee the supply of humanitarian aid;

5.Insists on the urgency of securing an end to the bloodshed in Mostar;

6.Insists on the importance of the European Union providing the maximum assistance to places such as Tuzla where democratic and civil co-existence of the various population groups continues;

7.Stresses that UN armed forces operating in Bosnia-Herzegovina must be coordinated and equipped in such a way that they are able to carry out their duties and can defend themselves adequately against attack;

8.Insists that adequate international pressure must be exerted on Croatia to withdraw all Croat forces from Bosnia-Herzegovina in accordance with the Security Council warning of 5 February;

9.Welcomes the active involvement of US in the negotiations;

10.Entreats the churches, religious communities and civic associations to foster dialogue and reconciliation;

11.Asks its President, as a solemn gesture of solidarity, to lead a delegation of the European Parliament, possibly in conjunction with national parliaments of the Member States, to Sarajevo;

12.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the governments of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.