The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the conflict in Darfur and the wider regional impact, in particular on the eastern part of Chad and the northern part of the Central African Republic (CAR),

–  having regard to the conclusions of the Council for General Affairs and External Relations meeting of 23-24 July 2007, asking 'its competent bodies to continue planning with a view to a possible decision on a bridging operation, in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy, in support of a multidimensional UN presence in Eastern Chad and North-Eastern Central African Republic with a view to improving security in those areas',

–  having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1769(2007) of 31 July 2007 establishing, for an initial period of twelve months, an AU/UN hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID),

–  having regard to the Arusha meeting on peace in Darfur, which was held from 3 to 6 August 2007,

–  having regard to France's initiative for the deployment of an EU force in parts of Chad and the Central African Republic,

–  having regard to its resolution of 12 July 2007 on the situation in Darfur,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  concerned at the security situation in the eastern part of Chad, which has deteriorated since 2006; whereas there are currently 400 000 refugees and internally displaced people in Chad, and more than 200 000 displaced people in the northern part of the Central African Republic,

B.  supporting the efforts of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to find a negotiated solution to the conflict in Darfur by promoting contacts between the Sudanese authorities and the different rebel groups,

C.  welcoming the signing of an agreement in N'Djamena on 13 August 2007 by all the Chadian political parties,

D.  noting the efforts by the Libyan leadership to find a solution to the internal conflict inside Chad with the groups which did not sign the previous agreement,

E.   taking account of the fact that there are differences of views between various EU Member States on the issue of deploying an EU mission to Chad,

F.  whereas the proposed deployment would include an EU military force of up to 4 000, equipped, among other weaponry, with armoured vehicles and helicopters, acting in a combat mission under Chapter VII for the UN Charter,

1.  Is concerned at the deteriorating situation in Chad and the lack of progress towards a political settlement of the conflict; is nevertheless opposed to sending an EU military force to Chad and the CAR; criticises that there is virtually no information on the mission, no information on the mandate and no information on its financing and real aim;

2.  Calls for more humanitarian aid for the refugees and IDPs and development aid for the region, particularly in the face of the current floods affecting 18 countries in Africa;

3.  Calls on all parties to refrain from the use of violence and avoid any action that can put the lives of the refugees, IDPs and humanitarian workers at risk, and facilitate the work of the latter;

4.  Calls for support to be provided to African Union efforts for a peaceful political settlement of the conflicts affecting the area, and in this framework an agreement on the refugee problem;

5.  Expresses its concern about the fact that the EU is more and more involved in seeking solutions to conflicts in Africa by military means, reflected in the increasing number of military operations; is concerned at the pillaging and exploitation of the natural resources and raw materials that exist on the continent by developed nations, endangering the rights as well as the political and economic future of the African peoples, with specific reference to the resources in Chad and the CAR;

6.  Calls for a review of the 'EU strategy for Africa' with the full involvement of the African countries; insists that any new strategy should be based on the principles of partnership, equality, respect and cooperation;

7.  Expresses its concern over the increase in illegal sales and smuggling of weapons, notably illicit small arms and light weapons, landmines and Weapons of Mass Destruction, to the African continent;

8.  Calls on the Council to inform Parliament prior to any action and on a regular basis, especially through its Subcommittee on Security and Defence, on the planned EU operation as a whole;

9.  Is concerned that the increase in military missions will further boost the militarisation of the EU, to be used as blueprint for future EU military interventions, and thus facilitate the introduction of the military dimension in the new Reform Treaty;

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.