The Assembly,

(i) Recalling its Recommendations 523, 555, 567, 570 and 576 on the development of a European space-based observation system and the future of the WEU Satellite Centre;

(ii) Taking note of the Madrid Declaration resulting from the meeting of the WEU Council of Ministers on 14 November 1995 and tasking the Space Group to define the conditions for WEU participation in a "developing multilateral European programme and to study questions related to a possible WEU ground segment, taking account of existing ground segments within WEU nations".

(iii) Welcoming the agreement concluded between France and Germany in Baden-Baden in December 1995 concerning cooperation on two observation satellites, namely, Helios 2, a French infrared optical satellite and Horus, a German radar satellite;

(iv) Applauding the fact that the abovementioned agreement resulted in the signature on 15 December 1995 of protocols for the creation by Aerospatiale and Dasa of two joint subsidiaries, European Satellite Industries (ESI) and European Missile Systems (EMS).

(v) Welcoming the participation of Italy and Spain in the Helios 2 and Horus programmes, which now appears virtually certain;

(vi) Considering that civil and military programmes must not compete with but rather complement one another and achieve synergy, as was the case in the Helios 1 programme;

(vii) Taking into account the fact that the distinctive feature of the Helios 1 programme consists in the participating countries sharing the satellite's in-orbit operation and that this arrangement has been wholly successful;

(viii) Considering that this proves it is possible to share an observation system for defence purposes;

(ix) Noting that WEU participation in the Helios 2 and Horus programmes is not only desirable and necessary but is also feasible;

(x) Deeming it essential to meet the deadlines set for each of the programmes;

(xi) Recognising that while this implies ruling out any industrial role for WEU in the Helios 2 programme, its participation in the satellite's programming can be envisaged and that, in the case of the Horus programme, it would be possible for it to take part not only in an industrial but also in a programming capacity;

(xii) Aware that WEU's position must not be based on a mere aggregate of various national requirements but on an overall strategic vision;

(xiii) Considering that it would be appropriate if WEU were to indicate to those countries which have decided to participate in Helios 2 and Horus that it wishes to be involved in those programmes, and describe to them the arrangements for such participation, without necessarily having to wait for the said countries to make an offer;

(xiv) Considering that this approach requires firm political resolve on the part of the WEU countries;

(xv) Welcoming the decision conferring upon the WEU Satellite Centre the status of a permanent subsidiary body;

(xvi) Considering that the imminent arrival of the first Helios 1 products will mark the start of a new phase for the Satellite Centre;

(xvii) Noting that any WEU commitments regarding Helios 2 and Horus together with an increase in the operational capabilities of the Satellite Centre will require a series of measures to be taken in respect of the Centre;

(xviii) Recalling the recommendations adopted by the Assembly on the need to develop relations with the European Space Agency in order to benefit from its experience and structures in so far as they could serve WEU's objectives;

(xix) Regretting once again that, while the WEU Council has to observe the requisite discretion about space activities, it does not provide the Assembly with more detailed and more specific information which would help the Assembly obtain the necessary support of the general public,

RECOMMENDS THAT THE COUNCIL

1. Study arrangements for possible participation by WEU in the Helios 2 and Horus programmes, taking account of the following:

(a) owing to the advanced stage of the Helios 2 programme, it is inconceivable for WEU to play an industrial role in the programme;

(b) WEU participation in the programming of Helios 2 is both desirable and feasible;

(c) such participation in the satellite's programming must be based on WEU's strategic needs as an organisation and not on a mere aggregate of various national requirements;

(d) it is still possible for WEU to participate in the Horus programme in both an industrial and a programming capacity;

2. Present a proposal to the countries participating in the Helios 2 and Horus programmes without necessarily waiting for them to specify their proposal to WEU;

3. Involve the Planning Cell and Intelligence Section in the WEU study and subsequent proposals and make this an official arrangement so that in future the two bodies are permanently linked to the system's operation;

4. Make the procedure concerning task requests to the Satellite Centre more flexible and simple with a view to reducing the time it takes to complete;

5. Provide the Satellite Centre with its own receiving centre and a telecommunications link with Brussels;

6. Equip the Satellite Centre with a mobile imaging station enabling it to acquire and analyse images on the spot;

7. Develop synergies between civil and military research projects using common technologies;

8. Study a combination of the airborne and satellite solutions for monitoring the earth;

9. Communicate to the Assembly more detailed and more specific information about WEU's space activities which, while respecting the necessary confidentiality, enables the Assembly to associate the public with its work;

10. Develop relations with the European Space Agency in order to benefit from its experience and structures.