# CE2004088EN.01067101.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/671 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/671

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(2004/C 88 E/0690)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4083/03

by Bob van den Bos (ELDR) and Johanna Boogerd-Quaak (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 January 2004)

Subject:   Burma The human rights situation in Burma is still appalling.

Subject:

| 1. | The US Administration has now passed a law prohibiting new investment in Burma. The EU has taken no economic measures to date. While European firms are discouraged from investing in Burma, European firms continue to operate there (for example the French multinational TotalFinaElf). Their activities provide a source of income for the junta. Is the Commission prepared to impose a ban on joint ventures with Burmese state concerns and to deny access to the EU market for products resulting from such cooperation between European firms and Burmese state concerns? If so, when and how does it intend to do so? If not, why not? |
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1.

The US Administration has now passed a law prohibiting new investment in Burma. The EU has taken no economic measures to date. While European firms are discouraged from investing in Burma, European firms continue to operate there (for example the French multinational TotalFinaElf). Their activities provide a source of income for the junta. Is the Commission prepared to impose a ban on joint ventures with Burmese state concerns and to deny access to the EU market for products resulting from such cooperation between European firms and Burmese state concerns? If so, when and how does it intend to do so? If not, why not?

| 2. | Arms are being supplied to Burma on a large scale. It would appear that these arms come from ten or so countries, including Russia, India, China, Israel and Ukraine. Given that the EU has in the recent past been able to prevent the supply of arms to Bosnia, is the Commission prepared to attempt to do the same regarding arms supplies from the above countries? If so, how does it intend to do so? If not, why not? |
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2.

Arms are being supplied to Burma on a large scale. It would appear that these arms come from ten or so countries, including Russia, India, China, Israel and Ukraine. Given that the EU has in the recent past been able to prevent the supply of arms to Bosnia, is the Commission prepared to attempt to do the same regarding arms supplies from the above countries? If so, how does it intend to do so? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2004)

(17 February 2004)

| 1. | The Commission and Member States continue to follow closely the developments in Burma/Myanmar and have noted the introduction of additional trade and investment sanctions by the United States Administration.
  In view of the forthcoming decision about a renewal of Common Position 2003/297/CFSP before 29 April 2004, the Commission and Member States are reviewing the situation in Burma/Myanmar and may decide to introduce further measures by unanimous decision. The Honourable Members will understand that the Commission is not currently in a position to comment, or to anticipate the outcome of these discussions. |
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1.

The Commission and Member States continue to follow closely the developments in Burma/Myanmar and have noted the introduction of additional trade and investment sanctions by the United States Administration.

In view of the forthcoming decision about a renewal of Common Position 2003/297/CFSP before 29 April 2004, the Commission and Member States are reviewing the situation in Burma/Myanmar and may decide to introduce further measures by unanimous decision. The Honourable Members will understand that the Commission is not currently in a position to comment, or to anticipate the outcome of these discussions.

| 2. | The EU has a robust Common Position on Burma/Myanmar, which was first adopted in 1996 and has been strengthened on a number of occasions since. The Common Position includes an EU visa ban and a freezing of funds held in EU countries for the members and families of the government, senior military and security officers and other persons or entities benefiting from government policies. All bilateral aid, other than strictly humanitarian assistance, is suspended. Separately, EU preferential trade concessions were withdrawn in 1997 because of forced labour.
  The Common Position also includes an arms embargo imposed in 1990 and the suspension of defence co-operation since 1991. The arms embargo was further strengthened in 2003 to include the prohibition of technical training or assistance related to arms and military equipment. In addition, the Commission and Member States have committed themselves to using their best endeavours to encourage other arms exporting States to subscribe to the restrictive principles of the EU Code of conduct on arms export of May 1998. In accordance with this, the Commission has urged a number of third countries to avoid taking any initiative which may reinforce military control in Rangoon. |
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2.

The EU has a robust Common Position on Burma/Myanmar, which was first adopted in 1996 and has been strengthened on a number of occasions since. The Common Position includes an EU visa ban and a freezing of funds held in EU countries for the members and families of the government, senior military and security officers and other persons or entities benefiting from government policies. All bilateral aid, other than strictly humanitarian assistance, is suspended. Separately, EU preferential trade concessions were withdrawn in 1997 because of forced labour.

The Common Position also includes an arms embargo imposed in 1990 and the suspension of defence co-operation since 1991. The arms embargo was further strengthened in 2003 to include the prohibition of technical training or assistance related to arms and military equipment. In addition, the Commission and Member States have committed themselves to using their best endeavours to encourage other arms exporting States to subscribe to the restrictive principles of the EU Code of conduct on arms export of May 1998. In accordance with this, the Commission has urged a number of third countries to avoid taking any initiative which may reinforce military control in Rangoon.

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