B4-0033, 0041 and 0082/95

Resolution on the position of independent media in the succession states of the former Yugoslavia

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to its previous resolutions on the subject, particularly that of 15 December 1994 on the survival of the Belgrade daily paper Borba,

B.concerned at the policy pursued by Mr Milosevic, which is creating an absolute monopoly of opinion in Serbia, since radio and television broadcasting and all other newspapers are already controlled directly or indirectly by the regime,

C.having regard to the underhand tricks, largely fiscal in nature, used in an attempt to undermine the Croatian satirical paper Feral Tribune,

D.conscious of the key role of independent media in informing the people and countering prejudice,

1.Calls once again on the Council and the Commission to use political and financial means to help the independent media at risk in the succession states of the former Yugoslavia to survive and to continue their work;

2.Insists that among the conditions for relaxation of sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro the opportunity for independent media to continue in those countries must be explicitly included, but believes that a relaxation of sanctions on newsprint and television equipment, provided such supplies were channelled through NGOs and not through the Milosevic authorities, should be considered;

3.Calls on the editorial staff of the independent media and publishers' and journalists' organizations throughout Europe to express solidarity as a profession towards the independent media in the succession states of the former Yugoslavia, thereby facilitating the two-way flow of information;

4.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the government of the 'Yugoslav Federation', the government of Croatia, the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the secretariat of the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the UN committee for monitoring sanctions.