Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-05-18-Speech-4-233"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2000-05-18"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Sri Lanka2
dcterms:Language	"it"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20000518.10.4-233"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2000-05-18-Speech-4-2342
lpv:speaker	lp:Francesco Enrico Speroni2
lpv:spokenAs	member; Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China (1999-09-29--2002-01-14)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 unknown; Lega Nord per l'indipendenza della Padania (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Members from the European Parliament to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) (1999-10-05--2002-01-14)3 co-chair; TGI (1999-07-22--2001-10-02)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, here we are again witnessing a conflict between two diametrically opposed parties. True, this is the first time we have tackled this issue, but we see similar cases every day. Of course, we hope that peace will be preserved and that these issues will be resolved through negotiation rather than force. However, we must not forget that the fundamental principle of self-determination is all too often disregarded, sacrificed on the altar of another, equally valid but opposite principle, that of the territorial integrity of the States. At this point, a choice must be made between the two solutions. I would not presume to say which solution is better but we must find the courage to consider all sides of the issue. One of the Members referred to the case of the State of Singapore. Singapore used to be part of Malaysia but it is now an independent State. The division took place without conflict, and, today, Singapore is no longer part of Malaysia but has its own complete territorial and State independence. This was achieved without conflict, without murder, without torture and without acts of violence. On the other hand, in the same geographical area, we have also witnessed another conflict, the conflict of East Timor and, with far too great a delay, Parliament declared itself in favour of the independence of the eastern part of the Island of Timor. There it is. At times, I find it difficult to understand how the same people, the same Members of Parliament, are able to adopt different positions on situations which are, if not identical, at least similar in some respects. The Island of Timor has been split into two parts and there are now two separate states, thanks to a referendum which was carried out democratically, although not in the best of conditions. The people decided their future and, although this involved fighting, conflict and so forth, succeeded in obtaining what they wanted. I wonder why this Parliament does not call upon Sri Lanka to hold a referendum as well, along the lines of the referendum held in East Timor, and to abide by the result."@en1

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