Doc. 9338

31 January 2002

US Funding to the United Nations Population Fund

Written Declaration No. 331

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Parliamentary Assembly, congratulate the US Congress on its recent decision to approve funding of the United Nations Population Fund in the amount of $34 million and regret the decision of President George W. Bush to block the US voluntary contribution to UNFPA.

      In view of the exemplary and vital work of the UNFPA in meeting the family planning and reproductive health needs of millions of individuals around the world, and most recently the needs of millions of Afghan refugees and displaced persons, including pregnant women, women who have been sexually abused and young people,

      In view of the international solidarity which European countries have shown with the US in recent months, and which is now needed more than ever,

      In view of the need for the US to play a constructive role in the international community, alongside other major donor countries,

      The undersigned urge President Bush and his administration to release the funds approved by the US Congress to the UNFPA.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed: ¹

McCafferty, United Kingdom, SOC

Akhvlediani, Georgia, LDR

Burataeva, Russia, EPP/CD

Cilevičs, Latvia, SOC

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

Einarsson, Sweden, UEL,

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Fehr, Switzerland, LDR

Flynn, United Kingdom, SOC

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Judd, United Kingdom, SOC

Lörcher, Germany, SOC

Mutman, Turkey, SOC

Nessa, Italy, EPP/CD

Rivolta, Italy, EPP/CD

Sağlam, Turkey, EPP/CD

Telek, Turkey, EDG

Tkáč, Slovakie, EDG

Vis, United Kingdom, SOC

Wilkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Zwerver, Netherlands, SOC

______________________

Total = 21

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group