GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, this week sees the start of the United Nations transfer of authority in East Timor to UNTAET. They do not have an easy task. The situation of delay, made worse by the vindictive destruction perpetrated by the Indonesian armed forces, the small size of the territory together with the fact that there is another half to the island, the coexistence with neighbours and powerful interests and the lack of an administration are all factors that contribute to the complexity of the task and show the need for the involvement of the Timorese and the importance of international solidarity. The next two years must be won. We must build basic infrastructures, establish bases for production, install an administration where none currently exists and do so taking into account the will and the involvement of the Timorese people. They know what they want and have the right to participate from the outset in their country’s construction. With regard to international solidarity, it is clear that the joint assessment mission, coordinated by the World Bank and in which elements of the Commission participated, has finished its work in the area. An estimate of the costs of reconstruction has been made – EUR 250 million over three years – and a conference of donors will be held on 17 December. The data that has been made available is very useful for Parliament too. I must point out that after the referendum on August 30 we were already expressing our desire for the European Union to become actively involved in the tasks of reconstruction. In line with this desire, when, at first reading, we took a stand on Budget 2000, we established a specific point of a multiannual nature with EUR 30 million allocated to the reconstruction of East Timor, an amount that should be increased in view of the information provided by the joint assessment mission. In conclusion, I would like to highlight the tragic situation of the 250 thousand refugees outside East Timor: the whereabouts of several dozen thousands of people is not known and many of those we do know about are women and children. The refugee camps are dominated by those militias who, having terrorised East Timor, are continuing to do the same in Indonesian territory. In the meantime, Indonesia is keeping its land borders closed. The situation is intolerable and is affecting a third of East Timor’s population, which has the right to a free and informed choice as to whether they stay in Indonesia or return to East Timor.

Political group: PPE-DE
I would like to bring up two points. First of all, the death penalty. The death penalty equates to murder, and even if a murderer is killed under the death penalty, this is still murder. We are opposed to the execution of Timothy McVeigh, even though he is a murderer. This should be pointed out. There is no good or bad use of the death penalty. Even the lowest of the low do not deserve to be killed in this way. I would like the European Parliament to adopt this position. My next point refers to the debate on Ireland. I hope that it will be organised differently and that it will not take place merely at the level of the group leaders. We saw earlier that a slightly more spontaneous organisation gave rise to much more lively debate than when the debates are organised by the heads and leaders of the groups. I hope that we shall draw the appropriate lesson from what happened five minutes ago.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, first of all my congratulations to Mr Moreira da Silva. This is a very important directive, perhaps the most important one of these five years, and tomorrow it will be brought to a successful conclusion. The opt out that Germany was so keen to see for entire sectors is explicitly no longer possible. A heavy defeat for the Ministry for Economic Affairs and even for Chancellor Schröder. Still more important is that next year the Commission will study seriously how transport sectors, with stress on the plural, can be brought under this directive. And that is most sorely needed. Both road traffic and air traffic are going too far. All the internal air traffic within Europe will count for the achievement of the 8% reduction. Can the Commission confirm that it is working on a concrete proposal to bring air traffic within Europe under this directive? It is very important that we conclude tomorrow because that, as Mr Davies has already said, will give the right signal to both the Duma in Russia and the government and the opposition in the United States that this is a serious system. This is the most efficient way of reducing CO2 and I do not therefore understand the GUE Group.

Political group: Verts-ALE
This report has some positive aspects, in particular the restatement of the binding nature of the proposed measures to protect water quality. But by granting deadlines, in particular a 20-year time-limit for banning discharges of hazardous substances, the report makes a nonsense of its own resolution. That time-limit is equivalent to authorising undertakings to discharge their toxic substances for another 20 years. Moreover, it is not made sufficiently clear that it is up to polluting undertakings to pay for any damage they have caused. As for charging for water, the only decision that would be in the interests of the public would be a ban on all private profit-making from the supply and distribution of water, but that is not even mentioned in this report, which, in pillorying Ireland for its practice of publicly financing water provision, is instead at pains to stress the commercial nature of this vital substance. That is why we abstained.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Madam President, one reason why Afghanistan is a topic of crucial importance is the need to demonstrate that not only can terrorism with State links be defeated, but that peace can then be won too. Things are not looking too good in Afghanistan at the moment. It is rumoured that Taliban groups in the south are making mighty advances, one hears – as the Russian defence minister, Mr Ivanov, said in Munich last week – that the cultivation of drugs has increased nine times over since the war began, and we see how soldiers from Europe, who are supposed to be working for the country’s future security, are unable to take action against it. It appears that they were watching over the drug routes along which the drugs find their way to Europe and to our children. To my mind, this is a very problematic situation and is the reason why it is urgently necessary that we should make every effort to facilitate the establishment of the rule of law and of democracy under a strong and guaranteed central power that also takes account of ethnic differences and of diversity. There will be no peace in Afghanistan for as long as – as has been the case – the provision of aid and the division of power are one-sided, with the Pashtoons losing out. This, I believe, is something else that we have to stress. The elections need to be properly prepared, so that it is clear who is entitled to vote and so that the elections may gain legitimacy, and the new constitution needs to be used in order for this balance of power to be achieved. The new constitution brings with it both opportunities and problems, for it makes Sharia law possible. While the courts still have judges as conservative as the present ones, nothing that comes out of them will be acceptable to us in terms of our view of what the rule of law means. This, I believe, is why we must, over the coming weeks and months, devote much attention and a great deal of effort to looking after this country.

Political group: PPE-DE
Madam President, the Mercosur countries are currently experiencing an unprecedented political, economic and social crisis. This is not our observation, but that of the Heads of State of Mercosur at their meeting in Asunción last September. The truth is that circumstances are not helping much: presidential elections in Brazil in the next few weeks; spectacular devaluation of the real over the past few days, stock market slump in Brazil; contamination in Uruguay; presidential elections and ongoing crisis in Argentina in March; presidential elections, too, in April next year in Paraguay – if they are held, taking into account that, when the delegation was there in July, a state of emergency was declared. If we look elsewhere on the continent, the scene is no more promising: instability in Venezuela, an extremely delicate situation in Colombia, a spectacular fall in public support for President Toledo in Peru – who is due to visit this House in December – and general unease throughout the region. In other words, the progress that has been made with regard to coexistence and democratisation are at risk, if none is made in the fight against poverty. What are the Mercosur countries saying about this? They are saying, more Mercosur, more integration and more and better democracy. We need to respond decisively to these problems, and I believe that what Mr Barón Crespo was saying is perfectly logical: as Parliament has said on numerous occasions, we need to promote this association agreement. We ask the Commission, once the elections are over, to promote the chapters which are not yet closed. The signals given to the Commission with regard to giving EUR 200 million and the increase in the Hilton quota are extremely positive, and I believe we must continue to send these positive signals. Parliament has asked – and this is an initiative that will not cost another euro – for a regional solidarity fund to be created using the existing budgetary appropriations. I ask the Commission to consider this initiative and I believe it is particularly important for the EU Member States to back a swift solution and agreement with Argentina in the International Monetary Fund. I seem to recall that currently only two Member States have firmly supported this agreement between Argentina and the International Monetary Fund. Madam President, we must show solidarity with Argentina because I believe it is deserved, and because this solidarity would clearly be to our own advantage. I shall end, Madam President, by recalling something said by a well-known Argentine Minister: there is no point in travelling first class when an economy passenger has a bomb in their hand luggage.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, I welcome all the reports on the discharge procedures, especially Mrs Stauner's report. Before I make my initial comments, I just wish to welcome what Mrs McAvan said about access to information from the Commission. I have found it remarkably difficult to get important documents and information from it on a number of occasions, especially for various budget lines relating to culture. It would be very useful if the Commission were to release more information to us and give us the reports we ask for. I welcome Mrs Stauner's report for a number of reasons. One because, as we are dealing with 1998, we should be looking at the past and trying to find answers to the questions we have raised about Fléchard, ECHO and the MED problems. These are all relevant nowadays because we must learn the lessons from them. Any new proof that arises from these cases must be investigated. These investigations must be very rigorous and must be reported back to us. OLAF must use its teeth. The three cases I have mentioned are also quite important because they reflect remarkably on four current Commissioners. All four of them must look carefully at their past, come clean and show this new Commission where reform is needed. I hope that Commissioner Kinnock listens to this debate and will reflect upon. There are lessons to be learned and many questions to be answered and he is the man in charge of getting these questions answered for us now. I also wish to make a couple of points on the Kuhne report on Parliament's own budget discharge. We regularly cast stones at the Commission, but when it comes to looking at our own finances sometimes we are a bit slow on the uptake. Although we have recommended discharge for our own budget this time, there are a number of points in the discharge report we should look at, especially the inventory services and the new system. I welcome the fact that the Kuhne report has called for a report on the new inventory system for Parliament. I hope the Commission takes the time to look at this debate seriously. This Parliament is very serious in the way it discharges various budgets. I agree with Mrs Morgan that maybe we need to reflect on how we discharge budgets in the future. However, for now, the Commission has a number of questions to answer and I hope it will start right now.

Political group: PPE-DE
Thank you for that response and for outlining the theory of what is meant to happen with this directive. As the Commissioner has indicated, the reality is often quite different. I want to ask in particular about the border post of Gorica between Slovenia and Italy. Over the years the Italian authorities have ignored the requirement of the directive and have done almost nothing to alleviate the suffering of live animals arriving from Eastern Europe. The latest complaint submitted by the Euro Group for Animal Welfare in April this year resulted in the Commission agreeing, at long last, to take out infringement proceedings against Italy. I would like the Commissioners to say a little bit more about the specific issue of infringement proceedings against Italy. What is the progress of this? Has it started and, if not, when will it?

Political group: Verts-ALE
I should like to thank the President-in-Office for the positive reply to my question. This is a problem we should be aware of in the European Union, with its share of world trade, with its economic weight in the world and with the political clout that it undoubtedly has. This question should be addressed and I am happy that the President-in-Office agrees with me that this is an issue which the European Union should take up. We should bear in mind that, even if there are states in the Union which have not ratified this treaty, the European Union in its own treaties nevertheless guarantees equality for women in the workplace and in many other situations, so it is not a serious question within the European Union as it is in the Russian state. The Russian state today is achieving economic growth. It is making progress again. We are happy to note that, but progress will not be sustained unless there is equality for all its citizens, and particularly the weaker ones.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, many of the amendments - and certainly all those to which my group has given its name - are clearly and directly aimed at preventing any leakage from this directive into the patenting of computer software itself. That is very important to us. It is quite clear that a body of intellectual property law which protects computer software by copyright, and leaves patents for other purposes, works well from the point of view of the software industry, and of the creative minds which develop computer software. Neither Mrs McCarthy nor Mr Bolkestein disagrees with me on this point. Nobody wants a leakage resulting in the patenting of pure software. There is some risk that genuine inventions which involve a software element would not be adequately protected without a new directive. So be it. But then the burden of proof lies with the Commission to show us which of Parliament's proposed amendments would over-protect us against the risk that we see and under-protect against the danger which the Commissioner is anxious to avoid, namely the danger of 'real' inventions not being adequately patentable within the European Union. The strategy of those of us who are amending this directive is to prevent any leakage into software patents as such. That would be a real disaster. We have been lobbied heavily about this, but we have been lobbied heavily because we have very many able, hardworking constituents who see the leakage which I have mentioned as a threat to their livelihood. Let us be absolutely sure that what we send back from this debate and from tomorrow's vote - and Mrs McCarthy has worked very hard on this report - really does provide a completely watertight seal against such leakage and protects what Mr Bolkestein wants to protect without creating the danger which so many of us have been taught to apprehend by our constituents.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Thank you for your answer. I consider it a disgrace to this Parliament that we have representatives here who stand for this type of ideological and intellectual “cleansing”. I should like to ask if the Council considers that this perversion of local democracy is compatible with the European Union’s fundamental values.

Political group: PSE
I welcome this initiative and was very happy to support many of the amendments and the report itself in the final vote. I deeply regret Parliament's unwillingness to really open up access to such decisions to the widest possible number of people. The willingness of the largest groups to maintain the restrictions to the ‘concerned public’, which will be defined by the Member States, is a surefire way to continue to leave certain people deeply dissatisfied and feeling sidelined. At least we managed to support the rapporteur's proposals to have some definition as to what the ‘concerned public’ might be. We have also managed to argue that the relevant authorities should make some response to show that the concerns of the concerned have been heard. However, a frequent complaint is that objections were raised but nothing happened. Parliament has given itself little room to manoeuvre in future negotiations with Council, so I hope we shall at least maintain the limited progress made today.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, Mr President-in-Office, Mr Costa, Commissioner, the Portuguese Presidency clearly has an extremely full range of responsibilities over the next six months. I would like to add my best wishes for a successful outcome in them all. The priority to which all of them are directed is clearly the enlargement of the European Union, an enlargement different in scale and nature from any previous enlargement. We also know that the external affairs of the EU extend into Eastern Europe, and the action plan for the common strategy in Ukraine has already born fruit since the Helsinki Summit with the announcement of the abolition of the death penalty. Foreign Minister Gama’s opening sentence in his address to us this morning touched on the importance of public opinion and on reassuring the people of Europe. I have just one question which the President-in-Office could perhaps touch on in his reply. Would he give a reassurance that his concern about public opinion includes public opinion in the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe. He may not feel that this is the appropriate time to give details of what initiatives he has in mind to ensure that not only is the momentum of negotiations maintained, but support in the applicant countries is also guaranteed. I would be grateful for that reassurance in his reply.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, Commissioner, the feelings that we have in the face of this tragedy are feelings of anger. Anger at its tragic consequences, and also anger because we have had enough of Europe being accused. If we had followed the Commission, if we had followed the European Parliament, we would not be in this position. We have had enough of being accused for no reason when we have adequate legislation and there is no further need to legislate. The legislation needs to be applied and that is the problem. After the sinking of the Erika, France, which then held the presidency of the European Union, and the Socialist government at the time, had made maritime safety an absolute priority. If the situation was not so tragic, one could laugh at it. You know the result! France was criticised by the European Commission for not respecting the directive on checks in ports. That is enough! We have had enough of the failings of the Member States and the Council. Indeed, the President of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac, has just asked for maritime safety to be a priority on the agenda of the next European Council meeting. I hope that no coastal Member State will fail to answer that call. We have the legislation, which is adequate, with the 'Erika II' package. It needs to be applied. We need to increase checks, ensure the integrity of those who carry out those checks and define which ports should be able to receive vessels in distress. We should also express our complete solidarity with the people of Galicia, who are going to suffer terribly in terms of fishing and tourism. Having said that, the environmental tragedy is even worse, as it cannot be repaired by just giving subsidies. Brittany is suffering and will continue to suffer for a long time in terms of its biodiversity and ecological balance, which are essential for maintaining fish resources and preserving species. What is the use of 'Natura 2000' and our protection directives if we do nothing about maritime security? Today the Council is responsible for having blocked the legislation that we adopted. Today, it is the people of the coastal States, European citizens, who are asking you, Commissioner, to be uncompromising. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, the statements we have heard from the Council and from Commissioner Barnier and the speeches of all the Members have confirmed without a shadow of a doubt that cohesion policies are one of the fundamental pillars of the Union and that enlargement requires us not only to continue to pursue these policies but also to consolidate them. However, I feel that the crucial issues are different and I will list some of them. Firstly, are the instruments we have used in recent years to regulate what are becoming increasingly marked imbalances still sufficiently up-to-date? Can generic indicators such as the GDP or simplistic percentages such as 75% continue to be the only parameters for clarifying and classifying eligibility? Is a fictional blanket paradigm in which the same measures are adopted across the board for subjects and contexts which are only similar in terms of statistics, still viable? Secondly, do the key principles of subsidiarity and additionality have the same meaning today as they had 20 years ago, when the European Union had a different institutional system? Is the idea, put forward in recent days by Mr Giuliano Amato, the former Italian Prime Minister, of far-reaching innovation leaving the European Commission power over major strategic investments and decentralising regional development actions really so unrealistic and impossible? It is my genuine hope that the participants in the debate held over the forthcoming months will have the courage to address these issues as well.

Political group: PSE