24/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - European Parliament President Pat Cox last week condemned the coup d'état that in the Central African Republic overthrew President Ange-Felix Patasse. "The suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of parliament are of the worst augur", says President Cox in a press release, adding that, in this ACP country linked to the European Union by the Cotonou Agreement, "a national reconciliation process will have to begin as soon as possible leading to a democratic government". Mr. Cox is concerned by the violence and pillaging committed in the Central African Republic and calls on the "authorities to ensure that the CAR respects international rules regarding the protection of human rights and humanitarian law, especially the 1949 Geneva Convention, and to protect the civilian population in all circumstances".