ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
A4-0081/96

Resolution informing the Management Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) of the reasons why the discharge cannot at present be given in respect of the implementation of its budget for the 1994 financial year

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the EC Treaty and in particular Article 206 thereof,

- having regard to the statement of accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training and the report of the Court of Auditors on this subject (C4-0564/95) ((OJ C 354, 30.12.1995, p. 1.)),

- having regard to the Council Recommendation of 11 March 1996 (C4-0196/96),

- having regard to the interim report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A4-0081/96),

A. whereas CEDEFOP represents an instrument of Community policy, and its activities must contribute to the wider pursuit of that policy,

B. whereas CEDEFOP has relocated from Berlin to Thessaloniki without any resolution as yet of the staffing problems arising from this move,

1. Notes that CEDEFOP's current staffing situation seriously compromises the efficient accomplishment of its work; notes furthermore that no satisfactory resolution of this problem is yet in sight;

2. Notes that an external consultant's report, prepared as a result of a request of the European Parliament, is highly critical of CEDEFOP's management and output, to the extent that it casts doubt on the usefulness of the body altogether; notes also however that a series of recommendations are made aimed at ensuring a viable future for CEDEFOP;

3. Reserves its discharge decision until such time as the European Parliament can be satisfied that the management strategies, working conditions and activities of CEDEFOP are such as to ensure:

(a) value for money for the budgetary expenditure used to support CEDEFOP,

(b) efficient use of human and other resources,

(c) products of quality which respond to the needs of CEDEFOP's clients,

(d) a clear and coherent role within the policies of the European Community on vocational training.

4. Asks its Committee on Budgetary Control, if necessary in cooperation with other relevant committees, to visit CEDEFOP to ascertain whether the conditions for discharge can be met;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Management Board of the Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors.
B4-0658, 0659, 0661, 0662 and 0663/96

Resolution on the obligations of the United States under GATT 1994 and GATS

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on US trade legislation and, in particular, the so-called Toricelli Act,

A. having regard to the 'Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act' of 1996 and the draft 'Iran Oil Sanctions Act' of 1996, which may also be implemented with regard to Libya,

B. concerned that this law and bill contain a number of provisions which are intended to extend US law unilaterally to companies from third countries, and will no doubt have this effect,

C. whereas these measures run seriously counter to the economic and commercial interests of the EU and its Member States,

D. whereas these measures are in breach of the international agreements signed in the context of GATT and the WTO,

E. having regard to the need for a more intensive political dialogue in the spirit - and on the basis - of the Transatlantic Declaration of Madrid, with a view to settling possible differences concerning relations with countries such as Cuba, Iran and Libya,

1. Expresses its emphatic support for the Commission and the Council in their rejection of the extraterritorial aspects of current US trade legislation, in the interests both of the existing multilateral trade system and EU companies;

2. Welcomes, therefore, the call made by the Council and Commission for formal consultations with the USA in accordance with the 'Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes and GATT/GATS Rules';

3. Condemns the Helms-Burton Act and all the unilateral measures adopted by the US against world free trade, whose extraterritorial effects are contrary to the economic and commercial interests of the EU and the Member States;

4. Calls on the United States Congress and Administration to do everything within their power to respect - and further develop - the multilateral trade system within the framework of the WTO;

5. Calls on the Commission to propose a regulation imposing a ban on compliance with such measures, i.e. an absolute or conditional ban on compliance with the requirements of such an overtly extraterritorial law which serves to prevent it from having any impact prejudicial to the common commercial policy;

6. Calls on the Council and Commission to pursue - and deepen - the dialogue with the USA in accordance with the Transatlantic Declaration, not least with regard to relations with countries such as Cuba, Iran and Libya, and to consider joint actions in accordance with Title V of the Treaty on European Union;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Administration and Congress of the United States of America.
B4-1128/96

Resolution on the grain shortage in Bulgaria

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Europe Association Agreement between the European Union and Bulgaria,

A. whereas Bulgaria is facing a severe economic crisis, characterized by a continuing high level of inflation, a growing rate of unemployment, a steep increase in the cost of living, and a serious crisis in the banking system,

B. whereas, also, owing to an unprecedentedly low grain harvest which was a result, in particular, of the adverse 1995/96 weather conditions, Bulgaria is facing a critical temporary grain shortage, so that large quantities of grain will have to be imported this winter in order to feed the population,

C. emphasizing that the prices of basic food products have sharply increased in Bulgaria and that in particular the socially weak sector of the Bulgarian population, including pensioners and unemployed persons, will face serious nutritional problems this winter,

D. stressing that urgent and direct support from the European Union will help to overcome the most serious problems and will also help to bring about further progress in the process of economic reform and recovery,

1. Stresses that the Europe Association Agreement imposes a moral obligation on the European Union to support the Bulgarian population during the current economic crisis;

2. Urges the Commission and the Council to take the steps needed to launch an emergency support programme to deliver the necessary basic food products to Bulgaria with the aim of overcoming the serious food crisis facing the poorest sections of the Bulgarian population;

3. Invites the Member States to consider the scope for extending bilateral financing and credit facilities or other national schemes for grain deliveries to Bulgaria;

4. Urges the Commission, furthermore, to take the necessary steps to support the Bulgarian Government in overcoming the serious economic crisis facing the country and to back all further moves towards a social market economy;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Bulgarian Government.
B4-0200, 0243 and 0265/97

Resolution on the earthquake in Iran and the need for humanitarian aid

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the earthquake which has struck northern Iran,

B. whereas this disaster has caused many casualties among the local population and whereas there is a vital need for emergency aid,

C. having regard, furthermore, to the bad weather conditions and the remoteness of many villages which makes it still harder for help to reach them,

The European Parliament,

1. Offers its sympathy to the victims and their families;

2. Calls on the Commission to take exceptional measures to coordinate humanitarian aid by European organizations - such as Médecins Sans Frontières, the Red Cross and Pharmaciens Hors Frontières - to the people of the region;

3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Iran.
B4-0191, 0228 and 0263/97

Resolution on Kosovo

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Kosovo and the former Yugoslavia,

A. whereas tension is being added to an already explosive situation by the on- going torture and killing of several Albanians by the Serb police and by a new wave of arbitrary arrests of over a hundred Albanians during the past couple of months,

B. whereas the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) has engaged in a new campaign of assassinations, targeted against Albanians regarded as collaborators and against higher representatives of the Serbian administration,

C. whereas the main Albanian party, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) led by Ibrahim Rugova, continues its search for a peaceful settlement of the problem through a non-violent civil disobedience campaign against the present apartheid-like regime,

D. whereas both the European Union, on the initiative of the European Parliament, and the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, Elisabeth Rehn, have requested the opening of offices in Pristina as a means of establishing a greater international presence in the area,

E. whereas freedom of the media is essential for the democratization of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), and for its people's understanding of what is going on in the world and in their own country,

1. Condemns the continuous repression in Kosovo and urges the Serbian authorities to release all political prisoners, to guarantee the freedom of the media and to start negotiations with representatives of the people in Kosovo on the future of the region;

2. Calls on all parties to stop all forms of violence and to start a dialogue;

3. Demands the establishment of freedom of the media in the FRY;

4. Calls on the Council to make every effort to launch a strong practical initiative to achieve the opening of negotiations between the parties, and to coordinate its efforts with those of the US;

5. Reiterates its request for an office to be opened in Pristina, which has so far been refused by the Serb Government, and calls on the Yugoslav authorities to respond positively;

6. Repeats its call on the Commission and the Council to take the initiative of holding an international conference dealing specifically with Kosovo;

7. Urges the Commission to give practical support to Albanian civil society and its non-violent struggle to reach a peaceful settlement of the situation;

8. Repeats its appeal to the Council to make steady negotiations on Kosovo a condition for any further development of the Union's relations with the FRY and for lifting the remaining sanctions;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Ibrahim Rugova.
B4-0393, 0398, 0399, 0406, 0410, 0429 and 0432/97

Resolution on the suspension of the WTO dispute settlement procedure as regards the Helms-Burton Act

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on extraterritorial policy and its effect on trade and competition in the world market, namely the Helms-Burton Act and the D'Amato-Kennedy Act of the United States,

- having regard to its request to forward a complaint to the WTO in order to open a dispute settlement procedure, which meanwhile was undertaken,

- having regard to the WTO procedures where the suspension of a dispute automatically leads to the end of the dispute settlement efforts after some months; whereas the above-mentioned legislation is still in force and will continue to affect countries which did not participate in the present dispute settlement,

- having regard to the GATT Agreement to which it gave its assent under Article 228(3), second subparagraph of the EC Treaty and which mandates the Commission as the EU executive to represent the EU at WTO level (partly together with the Member States),

- having regard to the urgent opinion requested by the Commission and the Council, which was adopted by a large majority,

A. whereas there was no pressure of time and no justification for not consulting Parliament in advance,

B. whereas the US has taken a position in which it disputed the responsibility of the WTO for this case,

C. having regard to its commitment to the multilateral character of the trade system within the framework of the WTO,

1. Regrets the actions of the Commission in not consulting Parliament and expects that in future Parliament will be fully involved in the process of consultation in considering those problems;

2. Considers that the Commission's activities in this respect are part and parcel of the executive power attributed to the Commission in the field of the common commercial policy and must be covered by EU decision-making in accordance with the respective treaty provisions in Articles 113, 228(3), first/second subparagraph, or 235;

3. Calls on the Council to assure full consultation of Parliament on the correct legal basis and therefore urges the Council and Commission to agree to an informal trialogue meeting to clarify the involvement of Parliament in decision-making at WTO level;

4. Calls on the Commission to fully inform Parliament via its relevant committees on the further implementation of the EU-US agreement;

5. Calls on the Commission to provide an annual written report on its activities at WTO level in order to ensure transparency in WTO matters;

6. Urges the Commission to reintroduce its case at the WTO against extraterritorial policies such as the Helms-Burton and D'Amato-Kennedy Acts of the United States unless Parliament receives a satisfactory answer in keeping with its declared policy;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Administration and Congress of the United States and the WTO.
B4-0966 and 0982/97

Resolution on the importance of continuing the land reform in the Philippines

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the tens of millions of ECU given in aid by the European Union since 1986 to the Philippines government to assist in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme (CARP), including support for such projects in five provinces in the Philippines which were only agreed in 1994,

B. having regard to the results achieved so far in the progress of the land reform programme,

C. having regard to the hunger strike by some twenty Lumad farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon, in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Manila as a protest against the return of 144 hectares of land to a major land owner (the Quisumbing family) by Executive Secretary Ruben Torres, when this land had previously been granted to the farmers by the DAR as part of the land reform programme,

D. whereas after a 28-day hunger strike President Ramos granted 100 of the 144 hectares of land to the Lumad farmers and whereas the farmers then ended the hunger strike,

E. whereas the Quisumbing family has subsequently surrounded these 144 hectares of land with a barbed wire fence and has it guarded by dozens of armed men,

F. whereas at least four comparable cases have now come to light (in the provinces of Bataan, Rizal, Bulacan and Cavite) where Executive Secretary Torres has given the land back to the original owners after it had been granted to the farmers by the DAR,

G. whereas there are still hundreds of applications for land reform awaiting consideration at the regional offices of the DAR,

H. disturbed at reports of the disappearance on 1 April 1997 of Romeo Cortes, a farmers' leader, and of Gaudencio Devaras, a community leader kidnapped on 12 July 1997 by members of the armed forces,

I. aware of the death sentences passed on several persons, and reaffirming its rejection of the death penalty,

J. disturbed at reports of several serious instances of torture,

The European Parliament,

1. Urges President Ramos and the Philippines government to put fully into effect the decision to grant land to the farmers from Sumilao;

2. Calls on the Philippine authorities to ensure that the farmers are not threatened and intimidated by the armed personnel of the Quisumbing family;

3. Calls on President Ramos and the Philippines government to grant land to the farmers in the comparable cases which have now come to light;

4. Calls on President Ramos and the relevant Philippine authorities as a matter of urgency to pay special attention before the elections in May 1998 to implementation of the law on agrarian reform and to ensure that the delays which have occurred in consideration of the applications for land reform are made good;

5. Calls on the Philippines authorities to shed light on what has happened to Mr Cortes and Mr Devaras;

6. Calls on the Philippines Government to commute the death sentences passed on several of its citizens;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, and the President of the Philippines.
B4-0054/98

Resolution on mass executions in South Korea

The European Parliament,

A. whereas 23 people were executed in South Korea on 30 December 1997,

B. whereas it is reported that some 50 prisoners are being held on death row in South Korea,

C. whereas capital punishment is never justifiable,

D. whereas, in other respects, South Korea has taken essential steps towards democratization, as shown by the free elections in December 1997, which resulted in Mr Kim Dae-Jung, a former dissident, being elected President of South Korea,

The European Parliament,

1. Condemns the mass execution carried out in late December and calls on the South Korean President and Government to impose an immediate moratorium on executions as a first step towards the complete abolition of the death penalty;

2. Welcomes the ongoing democratization in South Korea and encourages the South Korean authorities to continue along this path;

3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of South Korea.
B4-0609/98

Resolution on Cambodia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia,

- having regard to the 1991 Paris Peace Accords,

A. whereas since the Co-Prime Minister Hun Sen staged a coup and took charge of the capital at the end of July 1997, human rights abuses have been widely committed in the country and opponents and independent journalists are constantly harassed by the authorities, while a climate of fear and impunity are the main obstacles to the restoration of dialogue in Cambodia,

B. whereas fresh elections have been called for 26 July 1998 in order to provide stability for the country,

C. whereas the Commission has announced funding of ECU 9.5 million for preparations for the Cambodian elections,

D. whereas such aid is intended to train Cambodian polling officers, inform voters and local journalists and send independent observers,

E. deploring the fact that this aid has been announced, even though there is little evidence so far that the Cambodian elections will be fair and free,

F. concerned by the general climate of intimidation which prevents the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech and assembly,

G. whereas equal access to the media is not granted to all political parties and candidates and whereas access is mainly reserved for the Hun Sen group,

H. whereas the composition of the Constitutional Council is not balanced and it is unable fully to exercise its authority,

I. whereas some political parties, such as the Democratic Party, have been denied participation in the 1998 elections despite the fact that they were registered for the 1993 elections,

1. Believes that the Cambodian government will enjoy international recognition and credibility only if elected on the basis of fair and free elections;

2. Calls on Hun Sen and all factions fully to respect and implement the Paris Agreement, which provides a comprehensive framework for reconciliation and stability in Cambodia;

3. Urges Hun Sen in particular to implement without any further delay measures including:

- effective and equal access to the media and licence freedom for radio stations;

- composition of the Constitutional Council according to the law, enabling it to operate legally and in a neutral way;

- participation of all parties registered in 1993;

- substantial progress on the investigations into political violence;

4. Urges Hun Sen immediately to end the campaign of intimidation against opposition parties and candidates;

5. Reiterates its call to the Commission to link the release of the allocated funds for the elections to the implementation of the conditions set out in its resolution of 12 March 1998 ((Minutes of that sitting, Part II, Item 11.));

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the United Nations, ASEAN and the authorities of Cambodia.
B4-0493, 0516, 0525, 0544 and 0555/98

Resolution on the murder of Bishop Gerardi in Guatemala

The European Parliament,

A. whereas Juan José Gerardi, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Guatemala City and Coordinator of the Guatemala City Archdiocesan Human Rights Office, was brutally murdered on the night of Sunday 26 April 1998,

B. whereas Bishop Gerardi contributed to and edited the documents entitled 'Recuperación de la memoria histórica' ('Historical memory regained') and 'Guatemala: nunca màs' ('Guatemala: never again'), which recorded the human rights violations perpetrated during the war in Guatemala,

C. whereas the purpose of this execrable act was to undo the beneficial effects of the peace process and destabilize the country and its democratic institutions,

D. whereas unpunished murders of human rights activists used to occur frequently in the past in the country,

The European Parliament,

1. Strongly condemns the brutal murder of Bishop Juan José Gerardi and expresses its solidarity with his family, the Catholic community of Guatemala and all those who collaborated with the 'Recuperación de la memoria histórica' project (REMHI), and with all who believe in human dignity and the fight against impunity in Guatemala;

2. Requests that the High-Level Commission which the Guatemalan Government has proposed to set up be instructed to follow up the investigation now under way to ensure that the truth about the crime can be brought to light and the culprits brought to justice;

3. Notes the attempt to destabilize the peace process and democracy and firmly supports the peace accords that ended the protracted war which the Guatemalan people had to endure;

4. Calls on all Guatemalan political forces to step up their efforts to give effect to the substance of the peace accords, especially as regards demilitarization, tax reform and rural development;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Guatemala, the Guatemalan Congress and the President of the Guatemalan Bishops' Conference.

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