Brussels, 12/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - On behalf of the EU, the British Presidency has condemned the rising violence in the Darfur region of Sudan (see EUROPE 9045 on EU High Representative Javier Solana's comments): 'The European Union (EU) condemns the killing of three AMIS staff and two PAE civilian contractors in Darfur on 8 October. The EU Troika, who were visiting Sudan at the time, raised this with the Sudanese Government in strong terms. These are the first deaths in action suffered by AMIS and serve to highlight the seriousness of the deterioration in security on the ground. The EU sends its condolences to the African Union, the Nigerian Government, PAE, and the families of the victims. The EU also expresses its grave concern at the abduction, on 9 October, of 18, later 41, AMIS personnel, and calls for all those who have been abducted to be released immediately. Such targeting of AMIS personnel is completely unacceptable. AMIS soldiers are working tirelessly and under very difficult circumstances to restore security in Darfur. All sides to the conflict must cooperate with the African Union mission. The EU awaits the final verdict of the AU investigation. Those who are responsible for these terrible acts must be brought to justice. To this end, the EU calls for the names of those who are found to be responsible for these atrocities to be passed to the UN Sanctions Committee, so that targeted sanctions can be imposed in accordance with UNSCR 1591; and to the International Criminal Court, for further investigation in accordance with UNSCR 1593. For their part, it is vital that the Government of the Sudan takes the necessary steps to facilitate the deployment of equipment necessary to enhance the effectiveness of AMIS. During the EU-Sudan Ministerial Troika held on 8 October, the EU delegation made clear that it expected the GoS to take steps to enable the deployment of all of the 105 Armoured Personnel Carriers necessary for the protection of AMIS personnel and the civilian population in Darfur.'