Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Liberia

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

(1) In its Resolutions 1343(2001) and 1408(2002) the Security Council of the United Nations decided that a ban on imports of rough diamonds from Liberia and certain other restrictive measures had to be applied against Liberia and that these measures should be applied until 8 May 2003.

(2) In its Resolution 1478 (2003) of 6 May 2003, the United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, decided to extend the restrictive measures imposed on Liberia, as laid down in UNSC Resolution 1343 (2001) of 7 March 2001 and UNSC Resolution 1408 (2002) of 6 May 2002, and to add the prohibition of all imports of round logs and timber products originating in Liberia for a period of 10 months starting on 7 July 2003.

(3) In accordance with Resolutions 1343 and 1408 the prohibition of the provision of technical advice and training related to military activities and the prohibition of all imports of rough diamonds originating in, or coming from, Liberia is laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1318 of 22 July 2002, which expired 8 May 2003. It is therefore necessary to adopt a new Regulation extending said restrictive measures.

(4) In accordance with Resolution 1478, the new Regulation also has to lay down the prohibition of all imports of round logs and timber products originating in Liberia for a period of 10 months.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Liberia

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 301 thereof,

Having regard to Council Common Position 2001/357/CFSP of 7 May 2001 concerning restrictive measures against Liberia [1], as last amended by Common Position 2003/365/CFSP of 19 May 2003 [2],

[1] OJ L 126, 8.5.2001, p. 1.

[2] OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 49.

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1343 (2001) of 7 March 2001 and 1408 (2002) of 6 May 2002 imposed restrictive measures on the government of Liberia for its support to armed rebel groups in the region. By Resolution 1478 (2003) of 6 May 2003, the Security Council decided to extend the application of those restrictive measures for a period of twelve months from 7 May 2003. It also decided to prohibit all imports of round logs and timber products originating in Liberia for a period of 10 months from 7 July 2003.

(2) Certain of these measures fall under the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, notably with a view to avoiding distortion of competition, Community legislation is necessary to implement the relevant decisions of the Security Council.

(3) Council Regulation (EC) No 1318/2002 of 22 July 2002 concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Liberia [3] implemented Resolutions 1343 (2001) and 1408 (2002) of the Security Council as far as the territory of the Community is concerned. That Regulation expired on 8 May 2003. It is now necessary to implement Resolution 1478 (2003). For the purpose of this Regulation, the territory of the Community is deemed to encompass the territories of the Member States to which the Treaty is applicable, under the conditions laid down in that Treaty

[3] OJ L 194, 23.7.2002, p.1.

(4) Member States should determine the penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation. Penalties provided for should be proportionate, effective and dissuasive.

(5) In view of the expiry of Council Regulation (EC) No 1318/2002 on 8 May 2003, this Regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication and be applicable in line with the dates provided for in Common Position 2003/365/CFSP of 19 May 2003.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. Without prejudice to the powers of the Member States in the exercise of their public authority, providing Liberia with technical training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of arms and related material of all types including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned shall be prohibited.

2. The prohibition referred to in paragraph 1 shall not apply in cases where the Committee established by paragraph 14 of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1343(2001) has granted an exemption in advance. Such exemptions shall be obtained through the competent authorities of the Member States listed in Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 2

1. The direct or indirect import into the Community of all rough diamonds from Liberia, as defined in Annex II, whether originating there or not, shall be prohibited.

2. The direct or indirect import into the Community of all round logs and timber products originating in Liberia, as defined in Annex III , shall be prohibited.

Article 3

The Commission shall be empowered to:

(1) amend Annex I on the basis of information supplied by Member States,

(2) amend Annexes II and III in order to bring them into line with changes that may be made to the Combined Nomenclature.

Article 4

Without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the Member States under the Charter of the United Nations, the Commission shall maintain all necessary contacts with the Committee established by paragraph 14 of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1343(2001) for the purpose of the effective implementation of this Regulation.

Article 5

The Commission and the Member States shall immediately inform each other of the measures taken under this Regulation and shall supply each other with all relevant information at their disposal in connection with this Regulation, in particular information in respect of violation and enforcement problems and judgements handed down by national courts.

Article 6

This Regulation shall apply notwithstanding any rights conferred, or obligations imposed, by any international agreement signed or any contract entered into or any licence or permit granted before the entry into force of this Regulation.

Article 7

1. The Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Pending the adoption of such rules, the penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation shall be those determined by the Member States in order to give effect to Article 7 of Regulation (EC) 1318/2002 [4].

[4] OJ L 194, 23.7.2002, p. 1.

2. Each Member State shall be responsible for bringing proceedings against any natural or legal person, entity or body under its jurisdiction in cases of violation of any of the prohibitions laid down in this Regulation by such person, entity or body.

Article 8

This Regulation shall apply

(1) within the territory of the Community, including its airspace,

(2) on board any aircraft or any vessel under the jurisdiction of a Member State,

(3) to any person elsewhere who is a national of a Member State, and

(4) to any legal person, entity or body which is incorporated or constituted under the law of a Member State.

Article 9

1. This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

2. Articles 1, 2 (1), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall apply from 8 May 2003. Article 2 (2) shall apply from 7 July 2003.

3. This Regulation shall expire on 8 May 2004.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX I

List of competent authorities referred to in Article 1.2

(to be revised where necessary)

BELGIUM

Ministère des affaires étrangères, du commerce extérieur et de la coopération au développement

Egmont 1,

rue des Petits Carmes 19

B-1000 Bruxelles

Direction des relations économiques et bilatérales extérieures

a) Service Afrique du Sud du Sahara (B.22),

Tel. (32-2) 501 85 77

b) Coordination de la politique commerciale (B.40)

Tél.: (32-2) 501 83 20

c) Service transports (B.42)

Tél.: (32-2) 501 37 62

Fax (32-2) 501 88 27

Ministère des affaires économiques

ARE 4 o division, service des licences

Avenue du Général Leman 60

B-1040 Bruxelles

Tél.: (32-2) 206 58 16/27

Fax (32-2) 230 83 22

DENMARK

Erhvervs- og Boligstyrelsen

Dahlerups Pakhus

Langelinie Allé 17

DK - 2100 København Ø

Tel. (45) 35 46 60 00

Fax (45) 35 46 60 01

Udenrigsministeriet

Asiatisk Plads 2

DK - 1448 København K

Tel. (45) 33 92 00 00

Fax (45) 32 54 05 33

Justitsministeriet

Slotholmsgade 10

DK - 1216 København K

Tel. (45) 33 92 33 40

Fax (45) 33 93 35 10

GERMANY

Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA)

Frankfurter Straße 29-35

D-65760 Eschborn

Tel. (49) 61 96 908-0

Fax (49) 61 96 908-800

GREECE

Ministry of National Economy

General Secretariat for International Economic Relations

General Directorate for Policy Planning and Management

1 Kornarou str.

GR - 105 63 Athens

Tel. (30) 10 328 64 01-3

Fax (30) 10 328 64 04

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ÃåíéêÞ Ãñáììáôåßá Äéåèíþí Ïéêïíïìéêþí Ó÷Ýóåùí

ÃåíéêÞ Äéåýèõíóç Ó÷åäéáóìïý êáé Äéá÷åßñéóçò ÐïëéôéêÞò

ÊïñíÜñïõ 1

GR - 105 63 ÁèÞíá

Ôçë.: (30) 10 328 64 01-3

Öáî: (30) 10 328 64 04

SPAIN

Ministerio de Economía

Dirección General de Comercio Inversiones

Paseo de la Castellana, 162

E-28046 Madrid

Tel. (34) 913 49 38 60

Fax (34) 914 57 28 63

FRANCE

Ministère de l'économie, des finances et de l'industrie

Direction générale des douanes et des droits indirects

Cellule embargo - Bureau E2

Tél.: (33) 1 44 74 48 93

Télécopieur: (33) 1 44 74 48 97

Ministère des affaires étrangères

Direction des Nations unies et des organisations internationales

Tél.: (33) 1 43 17 59 68

Télécopieur: (33) 1 43 17 46 91

IRELAND

Department of Enterprise

Trade and Employment Licensing Unit

Earlsfort Centre

Lower Hatch St.

Dublin 2

Ireland

Tel. (353) 1 631 2121

Fax (353) 1 631 2562

ITALY

Ministero degli Affari esteri

D.G.A.E.-Uff. X

Roma

Tel. (39) 06 36 91 37 50

Fax (39) 06 36 91 37 52

Ministero del Commercio estero

Gabinetto

Roma

Tel. (39) 06 59 93 23 10

Fax (39) 06 59 64 74 94

Ministero dei Trasporti

Gabinetto

Roma

Tel. (39) 06 44 26 71 16/84 90 40 94

Fax (39) 06 44 26 71 14

LUXEMBOURG

Ministère des affaires étrangères

Office des Licences

21, rue Philippe II

L - 2340 Luxembourg

Tel. (352) 478 23 70

Fax (352) 46 61 38

NETHERLANDS

Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

Directie Verenigde Naties

Afdeling Politieke Zaken

2594 AC Den Haag

Nederland

Tel. (31) 70 348 42 06

Fax (31) 70 348 67 49

AUSTRIA

Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten

Abteilung C/2/2

Landstraßer Hauptstraße 55-57

A-1030 Wien

Tel. (43-1) 711 00

Fax (43-1) 711 00-8386

PORTUGAL

Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Direcção-Geral dos Assuntos Multilaterais

Largo Rilvas

P - 1350-179 Lisboa

Tel. (351) 21 394 60 72

Fax (351) 21 394 60 73

FINLAND

Ulkoasiainministeriö/Utrikesministeriet

PL/PB 176

FIN - 00161 Helsinki/Helsingfors

Tel. (358) 9 16 05 59 00

Fax (358) 9 16 05 57 07

SWEDEN

Regeringskansliet

Utrikesdepartementet

Rättssekretariatet för EU-frågor

Fredsgatan 6

S-103 39 Stockholm

Tel: (46) 8 405 10 00

Fax: (46) 8 723 11 76

UNITED KINGDOM

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sanctions Unit

United Nations Department

King Charles Street

London SW1A 2AH

United Kingdom

Tel. (44) 207 72 70 36 39

Fax (44) 207 72 70 14 73

Export Control Organisation

Department of Trade and Industry

Kingsgate House

66-74 Victoria Street

London SW1E 6SW

United Kingdom

Tel. (44) 171 215 6740

Fax (44) 171 222 0612

ANNEX II

Rough diamonds referred to in Article 2 (1)

CN code // Product description

ex 7102 10 00 // Unsorted diamonds, unworked and not mounted or set

7102 21 00 // Industrial diamonds, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted

7102 31 00 // Non-industrial diamonds, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted

7105 10 00 // Dust and powder of diamonds

ANNEX III

Round logs and timber products referred to in Article 2 (2)

CN code // Product description

ex 4401 // Fuel wood, in logs, in billets, in twigs, in faggots or in similar forms; wood in chips or particles; sawdust and wood waste and scrap, whether or not agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms

4402 // Wood charcoal (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated

4403 // Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared

4404 // Hoopwood; split poles; piles, pickets and stakes of wood, pointed but not sawn lengthwise; wooden sticks, roughly trimmed but not turned, bent or otherwise worked, suitable for the manufacture of walking-sticks, umbrellas, tool handles or the like; chipwood and the like

4405 // Wood wool; wood flour

4406 // Railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood

4407 // Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6 mm

4408 // Sheets for veneering (including those obtained by slicing laminated wood), for plywood or for other similar laminated wood and other wood, sawn lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded, spliced or end-jointed, of a thickness not exceeding 6 mm

4409 // Wood (including strips and friezes for parquet flooring, not assembled) continuously shaped (tongued, grooved, rebated, chamfered, V-jointed, beaded, moulded, rounded or the like) along any of its edges, ends or faces, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed

4410 // Particle board and similar board (for example, oriented strand board and waferboard) of wood or other ligneous materials, whether or not agglomerated with resins or other organic binding substances

4411 // Fibreboard of wood or other ligneous materials, whether or not bonded with resins or other organic substances

4412 // Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood

4413 // Densified wood, in blocks, plates, strips or profile shapes

4414 // Wooden frames for paintings, photographs, mirrors or similar objects

4415 // Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings, of wood; cable-drums of wood; pallets, box pallets and other load boards, of wood; pallet collars of wood

4416 // Casks, barrels, vats, tubs and other coopers' products and parts thereof, of wood, including staves

4417 // Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, broom or brush bodies and handles, of wood; boot or shoe lasts and trees, of wood

4418 // Builders' joinery and carpentry of wood, including cellular wood panels, assembled parquet panels, shingles and shakes

4419 // Tableware and kitchenware, of wood

4420 // Wood marquetry and inlaid wood; caskets and cases for jewellery or cutlery, and similar articles, of wood; statuettes and other ornaments, of wood; wooden articles of furniture not falling in Chapter 94 CN

4421 // Other articles of wood

4701 // Mechanical wood pulp

4702 // Chemical wood pulp, dissolving grades

4703 // Chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, other than dissolving grades

4704 // Chemical wood pulp, sulphite, other than dissolving grades

4705 // Wood pulp obtained by a combination of mechanical and chemical pulping processes

9401 61 // Other seats, with wooden frames

9403 30 // Wooden furniture of a kind used in offices

9403 40 // Wooden furniture of a kind used in the kitchen

9403 50 // Wooden furniture of a kind used in the bedroom

9403 60 // Other wooden furniture

9406 00 10 // Prefabricated buildings of wood