do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2520/98 by Hugh McMAHON to the Commission. Projects in Tarija, Bolivia
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, MCMAHON
Subjects: Bolivia, EU programme, balance sheet, costing, disclosure of information, food aid, foodstuff, operating cost, transport price, wage cost

C 386/172

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.98

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(8 September 1998)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(98/C 386/241)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2520/98

by Hugh McMahon (PSE) to the Commission

(28 July 1998)

Subject: Projects in Tarija, Bolivia

Can the Commission provide Parliament with an up-to-date breakdown of the finances of the projects in Tarija,
Bolivia, in each of the following categories:

› improving economic access to food;

› improving physical access to food;

› improving availability of food

In addition, can the Commission inform Parliament of the administrative costs of the project, including the
personnel costs for the eight directors over the past four years and the cost of transport shipped from Europe?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission

(25 August 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2275/98 by Glyn FORD to the Council. Criminal financial assets
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: Europol, drug traffic, economic offence, euro, exchange policy, financial legislation, fraud, illicit trade, money laundering, national currency

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/37

(1999/C 135/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2266/98

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Ban on exports of textile waste for recycling

(13 July 1998)

Pursuant to Regulation (EEC) 259/93 (1) companies are forbidden from exporting hazardous waste
materials to countries which are not members of the OECD. In December 1996 the scope of this regulation
was extended to the export of waste materials for recycling. Secondhand textiles are an example of the
exports which are now prohibited.

This causes major problems to companies which export these textiles for reuse or recycling.

What exactly are the reasons why the Commission considers that secondhand textiles are waste materials?

Is the Commission aware of the ESC opinion (10/95) which criticizes the total ban on the export of
products for recycling, in view of the economic and ecological importance of recycling?

What effect does this ban have on employment opportunities both inside and outside the Union?

(1) OJ L 30, 6.2.1993, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1998)

The reasons for which secondhand textiles constitute waste materials are set out in the Commission’s
answer to Written Question E-107/98 by Mrs Oomen-Ruijten (1).

The Commission’s amended proposal for a Council regulation establishing common rules and procedures
to apply to shipments to certain non-OECD countries of certain types of waste (2) would apply a control
procedure (prior informed consent) to exports of non-hazardous wastes on the basis of the precautionary
principle, but would prohibit exports of non-hazardous waste for recovery to non-OECD countries that
have indicated they do not wish to receive such imports.

The Commission is aware of the opinion of the Economic and social committee to which the Honourable
Member refers and of the economic and ecological issues involved. It is for these reasons that the
Commission has proposed a control procedure, rather than a total ban which would have its greatest
impact on some of the world’s poorest countries with the most fragile economies. The Commission has
however not made an assessment of the effects on employment.

(1) OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 22.
(2) COM(94) 678 final.

(1999/C 135/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2275/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(28 July 1998)

Subject: Criminal financial assets

What steps is the Council planning to take to utilise the unique opportunity available to identify criminal
financial assets at the instant of the conversion from national currencies to the euro?

Are there plans to enlarge Europol’s remit to set up a financial unit to enable Europe-wide coordination
and cooperation, particularly with regards to drug monies?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2357/98 by Graham WATSON to the Council. Presidential elections in Togo
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: Togo, democratisation, fact-finding mission, legitimacy, presidential election













EUR-Lex - 91998E2357 - EN






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91998E2357

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2357/98 by Graham WATSON to the Council. Presidential elections in Togo  


Official Journal C 135 , 14/05/1999 P. 0045 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2357/98by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council(28 July 1998)Subject: Presidential elections in TogoFollowing the visit to Togo by observers from the EU, the EU Presidency expressed deep concern about the legitimacy of the Presidential elections held in that country. As the European Union has serious doubts about the credibility of the election results announced by the Togolese Minister of the Interior on 24 June, what action is the Council taking to ensure democracy in Togo?Reply(7/8 December 1998)The report of EU observers to the Presidential elections in Togo on 21 June 1998 identified serious flaws and questioned their validity. The Togolese opposition maintains that its candidate, Mr Gilchrist Olympio, won the elections and has refused to accept the legitimacy of President Eyadema after the expiry of his previous mandate on 25 August 1998.As the Honourable Member is aware, the EU Council is endeavouring to promote democracy in Togo. The EU expressed its disappointment at the way the elections had been conducted in a declaration on 26 June 1998. As a further mark of EU dissatisfaction with the fashion in which the elections had been held, EU Ambassadors were instructed not to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Eyadema on 26 July.The Council on 13 July 1998 approved the text of a letter to the Government of Togo requesting consultations with the Togolese Government on the basis of Article 366a of the revised Lomé IV Convention. The consultations were held in Brussels on 30 July. The Togolese delegation was led by Prime Minister, Mr Kwassi Klutse. The explanations offered by Togo differed considerably from the assessments of the EU observers' mission. The EU has decided to consider them in detail. It will take a decision in the light of these considerations and of the evolution of the democratic process in Togo on whether to pursue these consultations. Since 1993, EU development cooperation with Togo has been partially suspended.In the meantime the Council will continue to follow closely the political situation and do everything in its power to encourage the development of democracy in Togo.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1670/1999 of 28 July 1999 determining to what extent applications for the right to import for cows and heifers of certain mountain breeds lodged under Regulation (EC) No 1143/98 can be met
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: CCT duties, cow, heifer, import

L 197/42

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29. 7. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1670/1999

of 28 July 1999

determining to what extent applications for the right to import for cows and heifers of certain
mountain breeds lodged under Regulation (EC) No 1143/98 can be met

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1143/98 of
2 June 1998 laying down detailed rules for a tariff quota for
cows and heifers of specified mountain breeds originating in
various third countries, other than for slaughter and amending
Regulation (EC) No 1012/98 (1), as amended by Regulation (EC)
No 1081/1999 (2); and in particular Article 5 (1) thereof,

(1) Whereas Article 2(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1143/98
provides for the quantities reserved to traditional impor-
ters to be assigned in proportion to their imports during
the period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1999;

(2) Whereas allocation of the quantities available to opera-
tors covered by Article 2(3) of
the abovementioned
Regulation is to be made in proportion to the quantities
applied for; whereas since the quantities applied for

exceed those available, a fixed percentage reduction
should be set,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Every application for the right to import lodged in accordance
with Regulation (EC) No 1143/98 shall be granted to the
following extent:

(a) for importers covered by (a) in Article 2 (1) of Regulation
(EC) No 1143/98, 33,9662 % of the quantities imported
during the period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1999;

(b) for importers covered by (b) in Article 2 (1) of Regulation
(EC) No 1143/98, 1,699 % of the quantities applied for.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 29 July 1999.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 28 July 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 159, 3.6.1998, p. 14.
(2) OJ L 131, 27.5.1999, p. 15.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2350/98 by James MOORHOUSE to the Council. Relations with China
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, MOORHOUSE
Subjects: China, death penalty, human rights, imprisonment, international affairs, international relations, protection of minorities, rule of law, the EU's international role, women's rights













EUR-Lex - 91998E2350 - EN






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91998E2350

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2350/98 by James MOORHOUSE to the Council. Relations with China  


Official Journal C 096 , 08/04/1999 P. 0079 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2350/98by James Moorhouse (ELDR) to the Council(28 July 1998)Subject: Relations with ChinaDuring his trip to China, President Clinton publicly described the bloodshed in Tiananmen Square as "wrong" and spoke in favour of human rights.Does the Council envisage following his example in its official contacts with the Chinese authorities?Reply(9 November 1998)The European Union's position on the bloodshed in Tiananmen Square in June 1989 is well-known. Like the United States, the Union is now trying to engage China further, through an upgraded political dialogue, in the international community, and promoting China's transition to an open society based upon the rule of law and respect for human rights.The human rights situation in China is an issue of constant concern for the Union. All EU Member States share a common objective in wanting to achieve tangible improvement in the human rights situation in China.Human rights are constantly on the agenda in the political contacts at all levels between the Union, its individual Member States and China.In autumn 1997 the European Union resumed the dialogue on human rights with China at experts level. A meeting in October 1997 in Luxembourg and one in December 1997 in Beijing were followed by rounds of talks, firstly in Beijing at the end of February 1998 (in the margins of a joint legal seminar on the protection of human rights and the administration of justice) and then in London in May 1998. The next round is scheduled to take place in Beijing at the end of October 1998, following a joint legal seminar on the death penalty and conditions of detention and on the issue of minorities. This will be immediately followed by a one-week seminar on the fundamental rights of women. The dialogue on human rights is being supplemented by specific cooperation programmes to implement human rights related projects agreed between the Union and the Chinese authorities.Before the start of this year's session of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) the Council will evaluate the human rights situation in China as well as the ongoing EU-China dialogue on human rights and the human rights cooperation programme it agreed with China with a view to arriving at a joint EU position at the CHR.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2406/98 by Leonie van BLADEL , James JANSSEN van RAAY to the Council. Trinidad & Tobago's refusal with regard to the Vienna Convention
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, JANSSEN VAN RAAY, VAN BLADEL
Subjects: Council of the European Union, EU Member State, Netherlands, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, competence of the Member States, dictatorship, drug traffic, extradition, third country













EUR-Lex - 91998E2406 - EN






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91998E2406

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2406/98 by Leonie van BLADEL , James JANSSEN van RAAY to the Council. Trinidad & Tobago's refusal with regard to the Vienna Convention  


Official Journal C 118 , 29/04/1999 P. 0717 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2406/98by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) and James Janssen van Raay (UPE) to the Council(28 July 1998)Subject: Trinidad &  Tobago's refusal with regard to the Vienna Convention1. Is the Council aware of the Trinidad &  Tobago Government's refusal to comply with the Netherlands Government's request to arrest and deport, under Article 6 of the Vienna Convention, the former Surinamese dictator and current government adviser Desi Bouterse, who is suspected of large-scale international drug trafficking?2. What political action will the Council take as a result of Trinidad &  Tobago's refusal to arrest and deport, under the international Vienna Convention, the former Surinamese dictator and current government adviser Desi Bouterse, who is suspected of large-scale international drug trafficking?3. What economic sanctions will be proposed by the Council of Ministers against Trinidad &  Tobago as a result of Trinidad &  Tobago's refusal to arrest and deport, under Article 6 of the international Vienna Convention, the former Surinamese dictator and current government adviser Desi Bouterse, who is suspected of large-scale international drug trafficking?Reply(7 December 1998)Questions concerning the relationship between a Member State and third States in the field of extradition do not fall within the competence of the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2337/98 by Pedro MARSET CAMPOS to the Council. Appointment of the European Central Bank's Director-General of Legal Affairs
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, MARSET CAMPOS
Subjects: European Central Bank, Spain, appointment of staff, legal action, legal adviser, liquidation, liquidity control, managing director, professional qualifications

C 13/156

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.1.1999

(1999/C 13/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2335/98

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Shipment of waste to non-OECD countries

With regard to the proposal for a Council Regulation establishing common rules and procedures to apply to
shipments to certain non-OECD countries of certain types of waste (COM(94) 0678), there has been much
concern expressed by exporters of second-hand clothes.

(cid:145)Worn clothing and textiles(cid:146) appear under Annex II (the Green List) of the Waste Shipments Regulation
259/93 (1). However, does the Commission consider second-hand clothing to be waste if it is shipped abroad for
its continued use as clothing? If this is the case, can it explain why?

(1) OJ L 30, 6.2.1993, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Questions E-0016/98 by
Mr BØbØar (1) and E- 0107/98 by Mrs Oomen-Ruijten (2).

(1) OJ C 223, 17.7.1998.
(2) OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 22.

(1999/C 13/224)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2337/98

by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(28 July 1998)

Subject: Appointment of the European Central Bank(cid:146)s Director-General of Legal Affairs

The European Central Bank, a body which is independent of democratic control and which comprises one of the
component parts of monetary union and its currency the euro, has selected the Spaniard Antonio Sainz de Vicuæa
as its Director-General of Legal Affairs. Since this person is the legal representative of the liquidated Banco Saudi
Espaæol (Saudesbank) and also the legal adviser of another failed bank (Banesto), the monetary authorities of the
Bank of Spain and of the Economic Affairs Ministry must presumably know him and have endorsed his
candidacy.

Could the Council say whether or not the Spanish authorities have provided the directors of the European Central
Bank with information regarding the professional merits of the person in question and his knowledge of the Bank
of Spain(cid:146)s rules for monitoring credit institutions in order to prevent bankruptcies, tax evasion, deposits of (cid:145)dirty(cid:146)
money and other irregular practices engaged in by credit and savings institutions?

Reply

(24 September 1998)

This matter is the direct responsibility of the European Central Bank, whose Governing Council lays down the
conditions of employment of the Bank(cid:146)s staff on a proposal from the Executive Board.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2328/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Council. Offensive attitudes and questionable practices by American consular staff in the EU
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: EU national, EU visa policy, United States, admission of aliens, consulate, third country













EUR-Lex - 91998E2328 - EN






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91998E2328

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2328/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Council. Offensive attitudes and questionable practices by American consular staff in the EU  


Official Journal C 096 , 08/04/1999 P. 0076 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2328/98by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Council(28 July 1998)Subject: Offensive attitudes and questionable practices by American consular staff in the EUInstances of offensive attitudes and questionable practices by USA consular staff in the EU Member States are becoming alarmingly frequent. Their treatment of European Union nationals (even in the consulate situated in Brussels, the "capital of Europe", and elsewhere) is to put it mildly disdainful. Certain practices are obviously designed to extract money (for example a minimum charge of $45 for a visa). The need to obtain a visa to visit the USA is in itself an unacceptable anachronism which is offensive to European Union nationals.1. Are Americans wishing to visit EU Member States required to obtain visas?2. What steps does the Council of Ministers intend to take in response to the anachronistic and offensive requirement by the American authorities that European Union nationals wishing to visit the USA obtain visas?3. What is the purpose of questions on the visa application forms such as:Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization? etc.?4. What steps does the Council of Ministers intend to take on behalf of the EU to make it clear to the American Consular authorities in Member States of the Union that they must treat European Union nationals in the same way that European Union consular authorities treat towards American citizens?Reply(22 October 1998)In reply to the first question, the Council would refer the Honourable Member to the Commission communication pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) 2317/95 of 25 September 1995 determining the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of the Member States, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 101 of 3 April 1998.The Council is not competent to reply to the Honourable Member's second, third and fourth questions.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2405/98 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. Plans to halve Britain's nuclear strength
Date: 1998-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN BLADEL
Subjects: START agreement, United Kingdom, nuclear weapon

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/51

− what action does the Council intend to take to prevent, in future, any direct or indirect collusion or
connivance with the war criminal Radovan Karadzic and to strengthen the European institutions’
cooperation with the ad hoc Tribunal dealing with war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia?

Reply

(14 December 1998)

The Council thanks the Honourable Member for having drawn its attention to this matter. The Council
regrets that, due to the nature of the question, it cannot provide the information requested. But the Council
has handed over the text of the Honourable Member’s question to the authorities of Italy and Liechtenstein
who are looking into the questions raised.

As concerns the strengthening of the European institutions’ cooperation with the International Criminal
Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, the Council would like to point out that cooperation with ICTY is first
and foremost the responsibility of individual member States. Nevertheless, the Council has always put its
political support behind the work of ICTY and has made cooperation with the tribunal an important aspect
for assessing compliance by the successor states of former Yugoslavia with the Dayton Peace Accords.

(1999/C 135/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2405/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(28 July 1998)

Subject: Plans to halve Britain’s nuclear strength

Has the Council noted the British Government’s plans to halve the nuclear strength of its armed

1.
forces?

Does the Council not consider it necessary for the British Government to discuss such sweeping

2.
measures with its NATO and EU partners before taking a decision?

Is the Council prepared to request the British Government to proceed to a reduction in the number of

3.
its nuclear warheads only when the following conditions are satisfied:

a) The coherence of the strike power of European defence is not undermined by the reduction in the
number of British warheads, at the very time when many EU Member States are cutting back on
defence;

b) Russia has ratified the START Treaty;

c)

India and Pakistan sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty?

Reply

(16 November 1998)

As the Honourable Member is certainly aware, national measures pertaining to defence are not discussed
in the Council.

(1999/C 135/060)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2410/98

by Guido Podestà (PPE) to the Commission

(17 July 1998)

Subject: Trans-European transport networks: opening of Malpensa airport

The appeals made by a number of European airlines about the transfer of air traffic from Linate to
Malpensa could imply that there is a prejudice against the Lombard airport despite the fact that it forms