B4-0671, 0683, 0693, 0698, 0701 and 0710/95

Resolution on the ominous developments in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the growing tension in Bosnia and the fighting in the Bihac and Tuzla areas,

B.drawing attention to the statement by Mr Radovan Karadic, the leader of the Bosnian Serbs, on 27 March 1995 that his forces would continue to fight until 'the total destruction' of their enemy and that he no longer regarded Tuzla as 'a security zone of the UN',

C.whereas the terms of the UN mandate in Croatia have not been fully respected,

D.noting that the United Nations Security Council has reached a decision on the continuing presence of United Nations troops on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, but that the practical terms of the mandate for the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation (UNCRO) still have to be determined,

E.convinced that the presence of UN troops in the region should not be used to legalise expulsion and occupation, but rather that it should form the basis for the restoration of international law, human rights and democracy,

1.Welcomes the decision by the UN Security Council on the mandate for a continuing presence of UN troops on the territory of the former Yugoslavia as a contribution to a reduction of tensions in the region, and urges the government of Croatia and the UN envoy, Mr Thorvald Stoltenberg, to come to an agreement on the exact implementation of UNCRO as soon as possible;

2.Calls on the Council to urge the UN finally to provide a vigorous response to attacks on the civilian population and supports, to this end, the proposals made by the UN Secretary-General;

3.Calls on the Member States of the Union to urge the UN Security Council to provide more effective protection for Tuzla, a city in which Muslims, Croats and Serbs have hitherto coexisted peacefully;

4.Is firmly convinced that the embargo against Serbia/Montenegro can only be lifted after Serbia/Montenegro has recognized the Republics of Croatia and Bosnia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia;

5.Condemns the continued persecution of the Albanian-speaking majority in Kosovo as an outrageous violation of human rights and a cause of instability in an already explosive part of the Balkans;

6.Urges the Council to do all in its power to help bring an end to the recent fighting in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and urges all parties involved to refrain from actions that may further increase the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina;

7.Calls for EU aid and support to be focused on all local authorities, groups and initiatives guaranteeing the return of refugees and equal treatment for members of all religious and ethnic groups;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Security Council and the governments of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia/Montenegro.