Brussels, 14/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - Tuesday's debate at the European Parliament on the devastating earthquake in Bam in Iran and the EU response to this humanitarian disaster was strongly tinged with political considerations. Accompanying the strong emotional message and solidarity for the Iranian people and the congratulations made to the European Commission for its effective humanitarian reaction, most parliamentarians expressed concern at the barring of candidates from the general elections of 20 February and added a strong message denouncing the Iranian ruling class, appealing for fair and democratic elections. Although Iran's renouncing of nuclear weapons was welcomed, the EU did not mince its words about the breaches of democratic principles and human rights in the political dialogue with Iran, declared the parliament.
At the opening of the debate, Poul Nielson, Commissioner for humanitarian aid, pointed out that the Commission had immediately responded to the appeal from the Iranian authorities by releasing, on 23 December, EUR 2.3 million in emergency humanitarian aid and by contributing to the co-ordination of civil protection teams from 18 European countries which mobilised for search and assistance operations. (See EUROPE 30 December p 6). Indicating that the International Red Cross and the Co-ordination Bureau of the United Nations launched appeals for continued aid to survivors, the Commissioner explained that the health and psychological support for the most vulnerable sections of society (particularly children and the elderly), were priorities and in keeping with the needs identified by Echo (the humanitarian office of the European Community) during its second evaluation mission on 5-8 January. Poul Nielson insisted that "on the basis of other UN assessments, we intend to reach a second decision for funding over the next few weeks. We are awaiting new requests from the Iranian authorities, which will be examined more calmly than the day after the earthquake". The Commissioner also insisted on the importance of solidarity that went beyond "immediate assistance".
German MEP Michael Gahler (EPP-ED) welcomed the fact that the aid had flooded in from everywhere, including the USA and that it had been accepted (with the exception of that from Israel). "This demonstrates the scale of human solidarity, independent of the relations built up with Iran". Welcoming Iran's signing of the Additional Protocol to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the dialogue begun on human rights, Mr Nielsen, however, also deplored together with Parliament, fears of an offensive against reformers before February's elections, given the barring of a large number of candidates. He hammered home the fact that "Our solidarity must not stop with natural disasters. It must also be expressed for the forces working for greater democracy, more freedom. I hope that Javier Solana (who was recently in Iran: EUROPE 13 January p 5) will be clear on this point. The EU cannot pretend that nothing has happened".
Johannes Svoboda (PES, Austria) congratulated the Commission for having acted swiftly and effectively to the humanitarian disaster and expressed the same concerns over the "pre-selection of candidates" in the next elections. He declared that, "Iran had been clearly encouraged to forego nuclear weapons. I know that neighbours like India, Pakistan and Israel have the technology. The region would not be any safer with more nuclear weapons. Svoboda called on "all countries in the area to contribute to a genuine peace process in the Middle East". Speaking on behalf of the Liberal group Ceceilia Malmström considered that co-operation with Iran had to be continued for reconstructing Bam but also for access to democracy. Very worried by "breaches of women's and minority rights and government interference in elections" she judged it inadmissible that "certain candidates are treated like criminals" and encouraged the Commission to continue dialogue with Iran. She said that she hoped that "Poul Nielson, Commissioner Chris Patten and Javier Solana will act". Gerard Collins (UEN, Ireland) had just got back from Iran and declared that, "the infrastructure throughout the ancient city of Bam had been destroyed. Months and years will be needed to remedy the damages and allow a return to normal life. More than EUR 200 million has be accorded by the EU for reconstruction of Afghanistan over recent years. I hope that the EU will also be committed to Iran over a period of several years". Marco Pannella (Italian Radical Party) exclaimed that "Iran looks like China" and vigorously denounced the executions and stonings in the country. "We are dealing with Khatami while being outraged by the risk of a stoning of a woman in Nigeria! He stressed that he wanted to insert the number of death sentences into their resolution.
Véronique De Keyser, Belgian Socialist, considered it was "indecent to make a comparison between the 30,000 victims in Bam and the 3,000 candidatures that are not allowed" in the next legislative election, although she did stress the stupefaction that this has caused. "If a just solution cannot be found, there will be no effect on humanitarian aid from us, but EU/Iran relations will be lastingly affected with immeasurable consequences", she warned. Richard Howitt (PES, United Kingdom) congratulated Commissioner Nielson and Echo for the effectiveness of the aid that was "well received and well used" and which has contributed, with international assistance, to save "over a thousand lives". He said, however, that he feared aid to Iran would be taken from the aid foreseen for countries that are of less interest to the media, such as Angola and Zambia. "I cannot guarantee that we shall not take money from these countries to the benefit of Iran. We shall work within the context of the Echo constraints", the Commissioner replied. In response to the Parliament's invitation to the EU to question the Iranian government about violations of human rights and democratic principles, Poul Nielson warned against all confusion contrary to the principles of international humanitarian law. "I came to report to you on humanitarian aid provided. We must endeavour not to confuse humanitarian aid with political aid. The Iranian authorities must guarantee access to the disaster site and allow NGOs and humanitarian agencies to work for the victims. This is what we shall say in the context of humanitarian aid. Political dialogue, on the other hand, continues within the appropriate bodies. These two aspects must be kept separate, otherwise we shall find ourselves in a difficult position", he said. Finally, the EP did not adopt any resolutions on Wednesday.