Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-09-07-Speech-4-196"
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"en.20000907.7.4-196"2
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". – Firstly, on the refugees in Nepal, the Commission fully shares the concern of the honourable Members about the state of the refugees living in the camps in eastern Nepal and, like them, is calling for an early and permanent solution.
At the same time, the Commission expressed its support for the common EU position on Burma and for the decision of the April 2000 General Affairs Council to strengthen this common position. We use every possible opportunity to press our Asian partners to urge the State Peace and Development Council to enter into a substantive dialogue with the democratically elected representatives and the ethnic minorities. The aim must be to arrive at a mutually agreed solution to the present situation, re-establishing respect for international standards of human rights in Burma.
Several speakers this afternoon have mentioned tourism. The EU has already clearly expressed its support for Aung San Suu Kyi's call on people from all civilised countries to refrain from tourist visits to Burma. We encourage our citizens to respond accordingly.
The most recent developments in Rangoon provide perfect proof, if proof were needed, of the validity of our condemnation of the military regime's unacceptable practices. The unwarranted seizure and subsequent detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and senior members of her party, together with local youth leaders, last Saturday, cannot in any way be justified by claims that they need ‘protection’. Nor can such treatment be justified by unsubstantiated allegations of conspiracy. This was a simple exercise in thuggery by an administration acting in panic. The Commission therefore joins its voice to the calls from all over the world for an immediate end to the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and her senior colleagues, the immediate restoration of normal channels for diplomatic access to the leadership of the National League for Democracy, the immediate release of the local youth leaders currently held without charge, and an immediate end to the illegal surveillance of private telephone conversations by democratically elected political representatives in Burma.
On the human rights situation in Colombia, our attention has been drawn on a number of occasions to the murders of innocent civilians in Colombia. Impunity for the perpetrators of such atrocities has almost been systematic. We have also seen a dramatic increase in death threats against people providing assistance on the ground to more vulnerable groups. For example, we have been informed that serious threats have been made against the Irish priest Brendan Forde, who is working in one of the regions most affected by violence. The Commission deeply deplores and condemns this situation and calls all parties in the conflict to respect humanitarian law and principles.
The Commission also supports the peace efforts promoted by President Pastrana. It will do anything in its power in order to promote support for lasting peace in the country. As regards what has been said in the debate this afternoon, in my view more guns are not a shortcut to a solution for Colombia but will merely add to the problems.
The Commission fully shares Parliament's concerns over the recent kidnapping of eleven British soldiers in Sierra Leone. We hope the ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining six soldiers are successful. We would like to express our solidarity with the soldiers and their families. The Commission is concerned that incidents like this and the abduction of UN personnel could hamper attempts to put the peace process back on track. We would welcome any decision by the United Nations Security Council to strengthen the UN force in Sierra Leone.
The Security Council's resolution of 5 July this year banning the illicit trade in diamonds from Sierra Leone has now been transposed into Community law. This ban, as well as the ban on arms sales to other groups which has been in force since 1997, must be strictly implemented. The Commission calls on all parties concerned – and that, of course, also includes the diamond industry in Europe – to support the UN's sanctions committees in achieving this end.
The Commission remains supportive of the Government's attempts to restore peace to the country and to implement programmes of economic recovery. With funds from the European Development Fund support is being provided to demobilise and reintegrate ex-combatants within the framework of a wider reconstruction and rehabilitation programme. Economic recovery is being assisted through a EUR 8.2 million programme of budgetary support and a technical assistance programme supporting improved public financial management. Within the next few weeks the Commission will be seeking approval for a rehabilitation and reintegration programme of EUR 30 million, a health sector support programme of EUR 28 million, a programme of post-conflict budget support of EUR 34.75 million and a support programme to the Ministry of Finance of EUR 4.5 million.
As regards humanitarian assistance, the Commission, through ECHO, is continuing to finance programmes in support of displaced and refugee communities through international NGOs and the UN. Since the beginning of 1999 ECHO has provided some EUR 26 million of assistance covering the supply of medical aid, therapeutic feeding, water and sanitation and psycho-social support for children affected by war. This is especially important, given the terrible situation for child soldiers and children in general in Sierra Leone. In addition, this funding has specifically covered support for amputees and refugees and internally displaced populations.
As regards northern Iraq, the Commission shares the concern expressed in various draft resolutions about the latest operations by the Turkish Air Force and the resulting civilian casualties. The Commission has noted that the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs is looking into the incident and into possible compensation. The upheavals caused by each incursion of the Turkish military into Iraq undermine the efforts to stabilise the area and inflict unnecessary suffering on the Kurdish population. They have suffered enough. What is needed for a return to normal life in the area is stability, peace and support for economic development. Over the past few years, the Union has repeatedly stressed the need to respect the integrity of Iraq and its border with Turkey. These latest border violations again do not solve the problems in Turkey, or anywhere else. In our view, a peaceful dialogue between the parties is the only viable path to lasting stability in the area. I have noted carefully what Members of this House have said this afternoon about their expectations in relation to Turkey, not least regarding its future place in European cooperation, and I certainly share their views.
New impetus and political will are needed from both sides to find an appropriate solution. Above all, arrangements should be agreed for those who wish to go back to Bhutan voluntarily. Technical solutions cannot be found unless the negotiators are firmly resolved to reach agreement.
The Commission acknowledges the results achieved by Mrs Ogata, the head of the UNHCR, for instance, when she visited Bhutan and Nepal last May, and the commitment of both sides to find a viable solution soon. I have also talked to government representatives from both parties. They also seem determined to find a solution.
Mrs Ogata's and the visit of a European Parliament delegation in April this year have been instrumental to genuine progress. However, the Commission regrets that the formula for verification in the camps has not yet been agreed, despite recent expectations that an agreement would be found.
In its regular contacts with the Nepalese and Bhutanese authorities the Commission has invariably stressed that this problem must be dealt with as a matter of urgency. The EC is a major donor of humanitarian aid to the refugees and to date has spent more than EUR 11 million. The Commission has used every opportunity to urge both sides to achieve tangible results. It has repeatedly stated its commitment to provide the necessary resources to facilitate reintegration and resettlement of the refugees once real progress has been made. A number of EU Member States have made the same commitment.
In the current financial year the Commission will supply EUR 1.5 million in assistance to the camps via the UNHCR. The risk that funds might run short should be avoided. This is completely manageable, given the amounts involved. It is our responsibility to prevent it.
The Commission is looking forward to assessing the results of the forthcoming discussion between the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr Koirala, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bhutan, Mr Zimba, due to take place in the UN General Assembly on 11 September.
Moving on to the recent events in Burma, on 18 May the Commission deplored in this House the continued violation of human rights by the Burmese military machine. We referred on that occasion to extrajudicial killings, the imposition of forced labour, the forced displacement of local populations, the repression of political opponents and the prevention of the full functioning of legitimate political parties.
We also condemned the restrictions on the freedom of movement of Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy and the routine practice of arbitrary arrests."@en1
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