B4-1130, 1131, 1139, 1154, 1166 and 1171/95

Resolution on the damage caused in the Antilles by hurricanes Luis and Marilyn

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the violence of the hurricanes, accompanied by violent winds and heavy rain, which ravaged the islands of the Antilles, particularly St Barthélémy, St Martin, Guadeloupe and Martinique, in September 1995,

B.whereas the personal, social and economic damage is enormous, and much of the positive economic development which had been achieved on the islands has been undone,

C.whereas Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn caused a number of deaths, while several other people are unaccounted for and thousands are homeless,

D.having regard to the extent of the damage to coastal infrastructure, public buildings, homes and farms, particularly banana farms,

1.Expresses its sympathy with the people of the countries affected by the hurricanes;

2.Calls on the Commission to provide an ample sum in direct aid to the islands concerned during this difficult period;

3.Calls on the Commission to consider how the Community's Structural Funds could be used to restore infrastructure, homes and seriously damaged farms in order to remedy the disastrous results of the hurricanes which are so frequent in this region;

4.Calls on all providers of aid to provide their aid in such a way as to devote special attention to the situation of illegal workers, to ensure that they are treated humanely;

5.Calls on the Commission to inform it of the use made of the aid;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Governments of the Member States, the ACP-EU Joint Assembly and the ACP-EU Council of Ministers.