# CE2004078EN.01058002.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/580 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/580

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(2004/C 78 E/0614)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3544/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(28 November 2003)

Subject:   Eurobarometer survey on threats to peace

Subject:

The findings of the most recent of the Eurobarometer surveys carried out at the Commission's behest on a regular basis, which sought the European public's opinion on which countries were a threat to world peace, have given rise to widespread indignation.

The final result, in which 60 % of Europe's population placed Israel at the top of the list of most dangerous countries, gave rise to indignation among the world's Jewish community and consternation among the general public and drew a shocked response from the Commission President, Romano Prodi, who said he was disturbed and surprised by what have been interpreted as new anti-Semitic leanings in Europe. Since then, however, no attempt has been made to look further into the matter and there has been no self-criticism and no discussion of the reasons why Europeans consider Israel to be the leading threat to peace.

In view of the outcome, there would appear to be good reason to question both the political advisability of the survey and the manner in which it was conducted, given that Mr Prodi himself has criticised both the way in which it was drawn up and the fact that respondents were presented with a non-exhaustive list of countries from which to choose. One is also entitled to doubt the effectiveness and general usefulness of Eurobarometer surveys given that if a survey's findings do not serve any useful purpose, even if only to foster discussion and enquiry, it is nothing more than a waste of public money.

Given the above, would the Commission say:

| 1. | Why the survey was commissioned? |
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1.

Why the survey was commissioned?

| 2. | Whether it intends to make constructive use of the findings by exploring the reasons for the fears they reflect and attempting to counter any tendencies which, if taken to the extreme, can give rise to anti-Semitic attitudes? |
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2.

Whether it intends to make constructive use of the findings by exploring the reasons for the fears they reflect and attempting to counter any tendencies which, if taken to the extreme, can give rise to anti-Semitic attitudes?

| 3. | How much the invitation to tender both for this survey and for Eurobarometer surveys in general cost the Union? |
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3.

How much the invitation to tender both for this survey and for Eurobarometer surveys in general cost the Union?

| 4. | Whether, as Mr Prodi claims, technical mistakes were made in drafting the questionnaire, and how any such mistakes could have escaped the Commission's notice and supervision? |
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4.

Whether, as Mr Prodi claims, technical mistakes were made in drafting the questionnaire, and how any such mistakes could have escaped the Commission's notice and supervision?

| 5. | How it is possible for the President of the Commission to be unaware of and thus surprised by the findings of a survey instigated by the Commission itself? |
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5.

How it is possible for the President of the Commission to be unaware of and thus surprised by the findings of a survey instigated by the Commission itself?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(13 January 2004)

(13 January 2004)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer it gave to Written Question No P-3334/03 by Ms Muscardini (1).

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As a supplement to that answer, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member that it commissioned the survey in question and that the questionnaire was drawn up jointly by the Press and Communication DG and its contractor, TNS Sofres. It is aware of the limits to the question concerning countries that are a threat to world peace. Nevertheless, it considers that the replies obtained are indicative of worrying prejudices.

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(1)  See page 263.

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