WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2913/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. EU aid to Kenya
Date: 1997-09-05
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU aid, International Monetary Fund, Kenya, balance of payments, corruption, fraud, fundamental rights, peacekeeping, the EU's international role, war

17. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 82/151

(98/C 82/240)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2913/97

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 September 1997)

Subject: EU aid to Kenya

Following the brutal clamp-down on pro-democracy demonstrators in June 1997 which resulted in 14 deaths in
Nairobi, violence has spread throughout Kenya. Evidence suggests the troubles are being orchestrated by forces
loyal to President Moi in an attempt to divide opposition parties in the run-up to elections later this year. Further
concerns have been expressed about the misuse of treasury funds and corruption within the governing KANU
party. In protest the IMF suspended the second installment of a loan to Kenya worth in total some $468 million.
Latest troubles on the coast resulting in 42 deaths stem from the destruction of forests sacred to the Mijikenda
tribe initiated by President Moi(cid:146)s supporters.

Will  the  Commission  now  reconsider  suspending  financial  aid  in  the  run-up  to  elections  as  an  expression  of
concern about the turbulent political climate engulfing Kenya?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 1997)

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member about the deteriorating situation in Kenya and in
close co-ordination with the Member States is actively pursuing all opportunities to emphasise to the Kenyan
government the importance the Commission attaches to the fact that development policy and co-operation are
closely  linked  to  respect  for  fundamental  human  rights  and  to  the  recognition  and  application  of  democratic
principles, the consolidation of the rule of law and good governance (Article 5 of the Lome· Convention).

Several Union declarations have been made, the last in August, urging all parties concerned to refrain from all
acts of violence and to resort to peaceful means in seeking to resolve political differences, and emphasising the
need to initiate a serious dialogue as the only means of achieving a peaceful solution beneficial to all Kenyans.

If  the  Commission  considers  that  Kenya  has  failed  to  fulfil  an  obligation  in  respect  of  one  of  the  essential
elements in Article 5 (the preparation and holding of free and fair elections are of decisive importance in this
context), this may lead the Commission to propose opening consultations with Kenya in accordance with the
provisions of Article 366(a) of the Convention. Suspension of aid is considered to be a measure of last resort.

As far as balance of payments support is concerned, the International monetary fund (IMF) decided on 31 July
1997 to suspend the disbursement of the second tranche 33.8 MECU (37 million $) of its programme for Kenya.
The  main  reason  for  this  decision  was  that  the  IMF  was  dissatisfied  with  measures  taken  by  the  Kenyan
government  to  tackle  corruption  and  fraud.  An  IMF  mission  (25-29  August  1997)  agreed  with  the  Kenyan
government measures required to restore IMF aid, but no date was set when the two parties would resume aid
negotiations. The Commission’s structural adjustment programme with Kenya is suspended since 1991 and will
only be resumed once the necessary economic and non-economic conditions are in place.

(98/C 82/241)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3146/97

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(30 September 1997)

Subject: Supply of fruit trees and vines

In the early 1980s, one of the most spectacular instances of fraud perpetrated against the Community budget was
the use of plastic fruit trees to obtain certain premiums and subsidies under the CAP.