EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/130

(2004/C 88 E/0138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3133/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: Angola — Falcone

The Angolan Government has appointed Pierre Falcone — an alleged arms trafficker currently having problems with the French judiciary — Minister-Counsellor at the Angolan permanent delegation to Unesco, a move which has been criticised by the Angolan opposition parties and the international press, and about which Unesco itself has reservations.

It is a source of further concern if it means a deterioration in international understanding about Angola's need for foreign aid following the end of a long civil war and the definitive establishment of peace. In particular it may jeopardise the terms of cooperation with the European Union or delay once again the political conditions for the preparation and organisation of the long-awaited Donors' Conference, which was postponed because conditions were not right, thus thwarting the expectations of the Angolan population and preventing speedier reconstruction of the country.

Can the Commission therefore say:

— what it thinks about this appointment and whether it has already made any comments or has any to make;

— whether it considers that the appointment affects the credibility of the Angolan authorities in the outside world; whether it has in any way affected the Community programmes under way with Angola or whether it has caused or may cause new difficulties in the preparations for the Donors' Conference;

— whether it has taken or plans to take any steps to make the Angolan government aware of its position and its concerns, if any, about the matters referred to above?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2003)

The appointment of Mr Pierre Falcone as Minister-Counsellor at the Angolan permanent delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) is primarily a matter for consideration at the appropriate diplomatic level. Such an isolated case has to be viewed in the broader context of Angola's long path from a country in civil war towards a transparent, participatory and accountable democracy, but could indeed be detrimental to Angola's credibility in the outside world.

European Community interventions are part of a long term co-operation strategy with Angola and in principle not subject to changes due to isolated current affairs. As regards the preparation of the Donors' Conference, the Commission considers that this incident, objectionable as it is, is unlikely to have adverse effects, as long as there is progress in dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with a view to the conclusion of an agreement and the presentation of a credible poverty reduction strategy. These two elements are considered of paramount importance by the international community for a successful outcome of the Donors' Conference.

It is neither the role nor the intention of the Commission to discuss such a particular issue in contacts with the Angolan government. However, in the context of a political dialogue with Angola under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, it is to be expected that transparency and good governance issues and thus the wider context of the case referred to by the Honourable Member, will be discussed. The conclusions of the Council adopted on 13 October 2003 also emphasise that the Union is prepared to assist the Angolan Government in its fight against corruption.