MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

16.3.2006

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Council
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Tobias Pflüger
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the criteria for EU peace-keeping operations, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo

B6‑0197/2006

European Parliament resolution on the criteria for EU peace-keeping operations, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to Chapter 6 of the UN Charter (peace-keeping operations),

-   having regard to the Agreement on Transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo, signed in Pretoria on 17 December 2002,

-   having regard to the African Union's efforts aimed at ensuring the operationality of the joint verification mechanisms agreed on by Rwanda and the DRC and at restoring trust between the two countries;

-   having regard to the elections planned in the DRC for June 2006,

-   having regard to Rule 103 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas peace-keeping missions under the auspices of the UN should respect and promote international law and democracy, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states, as well as protecting human rights,

B.  whereas peace-keeping missions under the auspices of the UN should have a clear and precise mandate with transparent funding and democratic control,

C.  whereas the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was in a state of civil war for five years up to 2003,

D.  whereas the peace and transition process has been both difficult and delicate, with constant recourse to conflicts and violence contributing to a climate of fear and insecurity and leading to further instability,

E.  whereas in certain provinces the civilian population is often the direct target of both the DRC army and the insurgents, with continued human rights abuses and flagrant disregard for international law,

F.  whereas the UN's demands for humanitarian assistance for the DRC have not been met,

G.  whereas the investigations of MONUC have demonstrated a close link between the illegal exploitation of natural resources and violence; whereas the economic interests of third countries in the country's rich natural resources have helped fuel this situation,

H.  recalling that the UN Mission in the Republic Democratic of Congo (MONUC) has already a total of 16 820 personnel, including 15 019 troops, 729 military observers and 1072 police officers, in the country,

I.  whereas in 2005 the EU deployed 2 missions under the European Security and Defence Policy - EUPOL Kinshasa and EUSEC DR Congo - in line with the military operation ARTEMIS carried out in 2003,

J.  whereas the EU has the responsibility of training Congolese police and providing military advice to the office of the Secretary for Defence and the General Staff; whereas these missions have not met expectations and could not prevent mass human rights violations by Congolese troops,

K.  whereas in January 2006 the UN asked the EU to send a battle group to the DRC to support the UN mission MONUC by offering protection on the ground during the presidential elections,

L.  whereas the Congolese authorities did not ask for the deployment of an EU mission for the election period,

1.  Rejects the idea of sending an EU military mission to the DRC to safeguard the election process; warns that this would create a dangerous precedent for similar cases;

2.  Calls for an election observation mission to be sent to the country instead;

3.  Criticises the Council for its lack of transparency on this issue, as well as the fact that Parliament has never been informed; is concerned at the high level of preparedness of the mission;

4.  Is convinced that EU military intervention will not help to solve the problems in the DRC;

5.  Calls on the governments of the region to reinforce their cooperation in enforcing the arms embargo in the DRC and to combat crossborder trafficking in illicit small arms;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the President of the DRC and the UN.