WRITTEN QUESTION No. 621/98 by Angela BILLINGHAM to the Commission. Kurdish Community in Diyarbakir
Date: 1998-03-09
Institutions: BILLINGHAM, European Parliament
Subjects: EIB loan, Kurdistan question, development aid, illness, road services department, wastewater, water supply, water treatment

2. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 304/141

The risk assessment is currently under finalization so that it is premature to draw firm conclusions about the need
for actions in specific sectors. However, the final report is expected shortly.

The  outcome  of  the  risk  assessment,  together  with  the  results  of  the  study  on  advantages  and  drawbacks  of
banning certain azo dyes and products treated with them and of the study on the effects of a ban on suppliers in
developing countries, will provide information on the need for and proportionality of harmonised restrictions.
The result of the study programme will form a basis for further discussions with Member State experts and a
possible Commission proposal to introduce harmonised legislation.

(98/C 304/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0621/98

by Angela Billingham (PSE) to the Commission

(9 March 1998)

Subject: Kurdish Community in Diyarbakir

Is  the  Commission  aware  of  the  allegation  that  the  Kurdish  community  in  Diyarbakir  is  being  poisoned  by
sewage being pumped into its water supply? It is alleged that what used to be a fertile valley is dying and that
many children are becoming ill. If true, is this acceptable behaviour from a country seeking to join the European
Union?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 1998)

The Commission is well aware of the low level of socio-economic development in the south-east of Turkey,
exemplified, among other things, by the poor state of sewerage systems in several parts of that region. Leaks
from the sewerage systems affect the health of the most vulnerable sections of the population, including children.
The Turkish authorities are aware of this problem. It was on the agenda of the meeting of the Turkish National
Security Council of 26 February 1998.

Since  1997,  under  the  MEDA  programme,  the  Commission  has  chosen  to  focus  in  particular  on  basic
infrastructure  and  projects  for  improving  socio-economic  development  in  south-east  Turkey.  Last  year  it
approved a drinking water project for Sanliurfa worth more than ECU 21 million. It has also allocated financing
(almost  ECU  23  million)  in  the  form  of  interest-rate  subsidies  on  loans  from  the  European  Investment  Bank
(EIB) to improve the sewerage systems in Adana and Izmit.

As regards the city of Diyarbakir, the Commission has programmed interest rate subsidies for 1998 on an EIB
loan for the Diyarbakir Water and Sewerage Administration to build a sewage treatment plant and a sewerage
system.

(98/C 304/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0625/98

by Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) and Jesu·s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: COM in raw tobacco: use of the research fund

(9 March 1998)

The current proposal to reform the COM in raw tobacco establishes a Community Tobacco Fund, funded by
holding back the equivalent of 2% of the subsidy; the current level is 1%.