The Assembly,

(i) Stressing the importance of control over space beyond the earth's atmosphere in the global management of crises;

(ii) Noting that Europe still does not have operational means of observation and detection by satellite with the military capabilities necessary for strengthening its defence;

(iii) Stressing the need for the WEU countries to equip themselves with independent space-based means of observation and detection in order to be able to take appropriate measures in the event of crises affecting Europe's interests;

(iv) Concerned over the future implications for European security of the proliferation of ballistics technology in the Mediterranean region;

(v) Recalling Recommendations 410, 482, 523, 533 and 555 in which the Assembly requests that the Council:

(a) set clear European space policy objectives and priorities;

(b) reach decisions on further steps for establishing a full-scale European verification satellite system;

(c) design the planned system in such a way as to contribute to the security of WEU member countries and to be useful to other organisations with a European, Atlantic or international vocation;

(d) assess without delay the risks to Europe stemming from the proliferation of ballistic and nuclear technology;

(e) take appropriate decisions to avoid the slowing-down or paralysis of activities entrusted to the study management team and the industrial consortium commissioned to design WEU's main observation system;

(vi) Stressing the importance of equipping Europe with early-warning and navigational satellite systems necessary for the efficient operation of a European anti-missile defence system;

(vii) Aware of the high cost of space-based systems and the need for close co-operation between states, industry and scientific circles for these projects to succeed;

(viii) Noting with regret the absence of consensus in the Council over the necessary development of the work of the satellite centre and starting the programme for the main observation system;

(ix) Deploring that the Council provides so little and such inadequate information on WEU's space policy,

RECOMMENDS THAT THE COUNCIL

1. Commence examination of a European space defence policy, taking all aspects of the problem into account;

2. Take the decisions necessary for the development of the satellite centre and for starting work on the main observation system, on the basis of a strategic analysis of what is at stake in the medium and long term;

3. Instruct its Space Group to begin a study of a European space-based defence system, paying particular attention to the need for communications, early-warning and navigational satellites and their protection;

4. Develop its contacts with the space industries of the member countries and with ESA in order to obtain information on current programmes and technologies that might be useful for implementing a European space- based defence system;

5. Foster co-operation in early-warning and navigational satellites with the United States and Russia on a basis of reciprocity and without jeopardising the independence of European systems;

6. Examine the expediency of creating a European space defence agency in WEU with responsibility in this area;

7. Keep the Assembly better informed of its decisions on WEU's space policy.