B4-0950/97

Resolution on the detention of Silvia Baraldini, an Italian national, in the United States

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolutions of 17 November 1994 ((OJ C 341, 5.12.1994, p. 173.)) and 15 February 1996 ((OJ C 65, 4.3.1996, p. 164.)) on the detention of Silvia Baraldini, an Italian national, in the United States,

A. concerned at the lack of any response on the part of the US authorities and the failure of an appeal by Mrs Baraldini to the Parole Board of Danbury, Connecticut,

B. alarmed at the deterioration in the physical and mental health of Silvia Baraldini who has served more than 14 years of a 43-year sentence for alleged terrorist crimes although she was not personally involved in murder,

C. whereas, since its last resolution was adopted unanimously, there has been growing public support in the European Union for the transfer of Silvia Baraldini to an Italian prison, in accordance with the Strasbourg Convention, which has been signed and ratified by Italy and the United States,

1. Calls on the President of the United States, Bill Clinton, the Attorney- General, Janet Reno, and the Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, to take due note of the risk of growing dissatisfaction on the part of European public opinion with the line taken by the Washington administration in this case and therefore to arrange for the immediate transfer of Silvia Baraldini to an Italian prison;

2. Draws attention, pending a decision to this effect by the US Government, to the need for the Italian and US governments to seek a friendly settlement through the Committee on Crime Problems of the Council of Europe, in accordance with Article 23 of the Strasbourg Convention;

3. Points out that Article 5 of the Strasbourg Convention requires prompt acceptance or rejection of requests for the transfer of prisoners;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Italian Government, the President of the United States and the Attorney-General and Secretary of State of the US Government.