Urgency resolution adopted by the ELDR Party Congress in Bath (UK),

The ELDR Party Congress, meeting in Bath in October 2002,

Registers horror at the recent spread of acts of criminal terrorism, notably the bomb outrage in Bali, which demonstrates the need to concentrate on effective measures to counter terrorism and to bring its perpetrators to justice, while remedying the conditions on which it thrives.

Condemns the human rights record of the Iraqi Government and its failure to fulfil its obligations under Security Council Resolutions to divest itself of Weapons of Mass Destruction, but warns against distraction form the fight against terrorism by pursuit of war for regime change.

Declares that for Europe it is essential our governments and European institutions concert and promote common European positions and courses of action and for individual European governments not to be drawn into divergent political manoeuvres.

Congress considers that key features of a European position should include:

• Respect for the role and decisions of the United Nations in the observance of international law, including the fulfilment of obligations under the UN Security Council resolutions in the Middle East. In the case of Iraq, the first aim of the UN Security Council and all its members should be to achieve the unconditional return of the weapons inspectors under relevant UN resolutions.
• That no military action should be undertaken unless new UN Security Council resolution(s) are in place providing a clear mandate, or action is taken in a case of self-defence, in accordance with international law, since otherwise international stability, including the Middle East peace process would be endangered.