Resolution on the earthquake in Colombia
C 150/388 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 5. 1999 Thursday 11 February 1999 (b) B4-0192, 0203 and 0206/99 Resolution on the earthquake in Colombia The European Parliament, A. shocked by reports of the effects of the earthquake in Colombia on 25 January 1999, which is reported to be the worst earthquake in Colombia this century and to have caused more than one thousand deaths with many others injured, most of whom are people in the poorest communities in the region, B. concerned at the difficulties apparently experienced by the Colombian army, despite the dispatch of thousands of troops, in preventing the outbreak of widespread looting in the city of Armenia, where aid workers have come under fire from looters and public disorder is hampering relief efforts, C. perturbed at the possibility that corruption may prevent international aid from reaching its intended recipients in full, D. noting with satisfaction the Commission’s prompt release of EUR 1,5 million, including EUR 500 000 of unspent funds from last year, and its constructive cooperation with the Red Cross, Oxfam and other NGOs involved in the area, Extends its condolences to the victims, to the families of the dead and to the entire Colombian 1. people; 2. Calls upon the Commission and the governments of the Member States, in cooperation with the relevant NGOs, to do their utmost in order to deal with this crisis and to implement a special development programme designed to meet medium- and long-term needs in the earthquake area; Supports President Pastrana’s public commitment to combat corruption and appeals to him to take 3. all the necessary steps to ensure that relief aid reaches those for whom it is intended; Appeals further to President Pastrana and the Colombian Government to take firm steps to restore 4. public order in the areas affected by the disaster, while fully respecting human rights; Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Colombian 5. Government. 13. Water policy **I A4-0261/98 Proposal and amended proposals for a Council Directive establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (COM(97)0049 − C4-0192/97, COM(97)0614 − C4-0120/98 and COM(98)0076 − C4-0121/98 − 97/0067(SYN)) The proposal was approved with the following amendments: TEXT PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSION (*) AMENDMENTS BY PARLIAMENT (Amendment 1) Recital 1a (new) (1a) Whereas water is not a commercial product like any other but, rather, a heritage which belongs to the peoples of the European Union and which must be protected, defended and treated as such; (*) OJ C 184, 17. 6. 1997, p. 20, OJ C 16, 20. 1. 1998, p. 14 and OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 94