WRITTEN QUESTION E-3544/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Council

(8 January 2002)

Subject: List of Islamic fundamentalists in Somalia

I have received, from internal sources in the Somali autonomous regions of Puntland, a list of names of people thought to be members of the Al-Ittihad and Al-Islah fundamentalist organisations, which the US and other Western governments consider as terrorist organisations. It is reasonable to deduce from this list that there is a connection with the Somali Transitional National Government (TNG).

This document and the freezing of bank accounts of the Al-Baraakat Somali economic and financial network clearly demonstrate the need to shed light on the situation in Somalia and any links there may be between the Transitional National Government and the most extreme Islamic groups in Somalia.

Although there has been no reaction yet at institutional level, the reports published in the international press confirm the seriousness and accuracy of the allegations made.

Given that the media worldwide claim that Somalia could be one of the next targets of the anti-terrorist campaign, will the Council specify:

- whether it is in a position, through the Member States' secret services, to check the accuracy of the claims made in the document and to reply to my question and to those of the general public as a matter of urgency?

- whether it is already aware of this situation and, if so, what measures it has taken?

- whether the governments engaged in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan have assessed the dangerous nature of the situation in Somalia?

- whether it is considering the possibility of providing support for the Somali movements opposed to the present government, who for a long time have been active in fighting terrorism in their country and in seeking to set up a government of national unity with a view to establishing a federal state?

Reply

(13 May 2002)

Since the Council is not in possession of the document referred to by the Honourable Parliamentarian, it is not in a position to answer the questions linked to the document raised by the Honourable Parliamentarian.

The Council is in the process of evaluating the commitment and the cooperation of third countries, including Somalia, in the fight against terrorism, based i.a. on reports by EU Heads of Mission.

The EU position concerning Somalia and the present government was expressed in statements dated 25 August 2000, 8 September 2000 and 10 August 2001. In these statements the EU called on the authorities of Somaliland and Puntland to establish constructive relations with the institutions, which have emerged from the Arta process, and urged the future transitional government to establish a constructive dialogue as soon as possible with the aforementioned authorities for the purpose of reestablishing national unity in peace with respect for the elements of stability achieved.

In line with this position, the EU issued a Declaration dated 1 February 2002 on the occasion of the 9th IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) summit held in Khartoum on 11 January 2002, welcoming the timely resolution adopted on Somalia and the recommendations contained therein. The EU particularly welcomed IGAD's recommendation urging the TNG and all other parties to commit themselves to combat terrorism in all its forms, and IGAD's calls for cooperation among the three frontline states (Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti), which give hope of renewed impetus to the peace and reconciliation process. Moreover, the EU called upon all parties to put aside their differences and to participate in the IGAD-facilitated dialogue without preconditions and with a genuine resolve of broadening and completing the national reconciliation process, emphasising its readiness to examine ways and means on how to support IGAD's efforts.