WRITTEN QUESTION E-1662/99 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Threat of US sanctions against Sol-Melià.
Date: 1999-09-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cuba, European undertaking, United States, World Trade Organisation, international sanctions

C 170 E/68

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2000

(2000/C 170 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1662/99

by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL)
and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 September 1999)

Subject: Threat of US sanctions against Sol-Meli(cid:224)

The US Department of State is considering the possiblity of imposing sanctions on the Spanish hotel group
Sol-Meli(cid:224) on account of its investments in Cuba. The USA is planning to apply Title IV of the Helms-
Burton Act, which the EU considers to be illegal because its scope extends beyond US territory. Such
sanctions, if imposed, would affect international free trade and would damage the business interests of one
of Spain(cid:146)s most representative tourism companies.

1.

How real is the threat that sanctions may be imposed on Sol-Meli(cid:224)?

If sanctions were to be imposed, what action could the Commission take in order to protect Sol-

2.
Meli(cid:224) interests?

3. Would the Commission be willing to take up the issue of the Helms-Burton Act with the World
Trade Organisation?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 1999)

The Commission recalls that the decisions and statements made at the Community and the United States
summit of 18 May 1998 regarding the Helms Burton and Iran/Libya Sanctions Acts were intended to pave
the way for a definitive solution to this major bilateral disagreement. The Commission remains very
concerned that no tangible progress has so far been made on the American side on their commitment to
seeking Congressional amendment to Title IV of Helms Burton, not least since the American administra-
tion has regularly recalled the President(cid:146)s continuing obligation, in the absence of such an amendment, to
enforce that Title.

The Commission has for its part always made it clear that if action is taken against Community companies
or individuals under the Helms-Burton Act, the question of a new World trade organisation (WTO) panel
will inevitably arise.

The Commission has urged the American administration to accelerate the implementation, on their side, of
the May 1998 summit deal.

The Commission is following the situation very closely and will continue to keep the Parliament informed
of any new developments regarding the implementation of the 18 May 1998 understandings.

(2000/C 170 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1665/99

by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 September 1999)

Subject: Misappropriation of
Development

IMF funds for Russia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and

At the end of July the Chairman of the International Monetary Fund, Michel Camdessus, granted a loan of
US$ 4,5 billion to the Russian Federation, although he knew about a report by Price Waterhouse
confirming that Moscow(cid:146)s Central Bank had for some time been diverting part of the funding to financial
institutions abroad.

Does the Commission know whether EBRD funds as well as IMF funds have been misappropriated?