WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/99 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Use of force against young people in the USA.
Date: 1999-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United States, common foreign and security policy, violence, young person

C 203 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

(2000/C 203 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2092/99

by Georg Jarzembowski (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Dispute between Kockums Computer Systems GmbH and the European Union

The company Hamburg Kockums Computer Systems GmbH (previously known as SCHIFFKO, Schiffskon-
struktion und Entwicklungs GmbH) is still claiming payments in relation to the 1988 (cid:145)full economic cost
contract(cid:146), number RI1B-0198-C, with the European Economic Community. In the dispute about the
outstanding payments,
letter of 13 May 1998 from Mr Arturo Garcia Arroyo, DG XII,
Directorate C, European Commission, announced that a (cid:145)full audit(cid:146) by the (cid:145)Commission services(cid:146) would be
undertaken so that the dispute could finally be settled. The company, Kockums Gmbh, and their lawyers,
Cyros, Makowski and Partner, Hamburg, are still waiting for the Commission(cid:146)s response.

the latest

The Commission is therefore asked:

1. Why has the Commission not yet replied to the many queries, sent on 20 July 1998, 14 September
1998, 3 November 1998, 4 January 1999 and 3 February 1999, from the lawyers Cyros, Makowski
and Partner, all of which were sent to Mr Arroyo in DG XII? When does the Commission intend to
reply?

2. What is the current position in this dispute? How does the Commission assess the claims? How is this

matter to be concluded?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1999)

From 1993 to 1998, the Commission has made it clear in writing, by telephone and in meetings with
Kockums Computer Systems GmbH and its legal representatives, that its cost claims under the above
research contract (1988-1992) had no foundation and has provided detailed information and documenta-
tion to this end. It had been proposed that a full financial audit be carried out, but this could not be
carried out as the contractual period in which this could be done had expired. However, the Commission
has exhausted all manner of response and maintains its position that it has fulfilled its obligations under
the contract. There is no further action foreseen on the part of the Commission.

(2000/C 203 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/99

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Use of force against young people in the USA

that such actions could be a direct consequence of

The media repeatedly carries reports of violence by American young people. It would not be unreasonable
to suspect
the violence they themselves have
experienced, as young people in the USA (and elsewhere) are the victims of acts of violence every day,
not least violence by the national authorities. The case of an 11-year-old boy with Swiss and American
nationality, who was taken from his bed by the police in handcuffs and shackles and is currently being
held on remand in America on charges of incest, provides evidence that children are forcibly removed
from their parents without proper evidence.

In the light of such horrifying cases, does the Commission intend:

(cid:129) to bring increasing pressure to bear on the United States to prevent such acts of violence being carried

out against children and young people, in particular by the national authorities?

(cid:129) to point out to the United States that, in view of its alleged support for observance of human rights
throughout the world, including China, it is essential that such rights are also observed at home?

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/135

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member that the rights of children and young
people should be properly observed around the world. The individual case, to which the Honourable
Member is referring, has now been settled by the Court. The boy has been released and returned from the
United States to Switzerland.

It should be recalled that the Community and United States have an open dialogue on issues in the field of
freedom, security and justice within the framework of the New transatlantic agenda. In general, this
exchange of views includes criminal matters, such as money laundering, corruption and the fight against
illegal drugs. The Community and United States have recently jointly organised a conference on combating
child pornography on the Internet.

The Commission will not hesitate to raise with the appropriate American authorities issues of concern
similar to the one put forward by the Honourable Member whenever the need arises.

(2000/C 203 E/172)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2099/99

by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Al Invest Programme

For the 1995-2000 period the Commission launched an EU-Latin America economic cooperation
programme to enable economic operators on both continents and from various sectors to meet and to
set up partnerships, particularly in the form of investment projects, distribution agreements, technology
transfers, joint ventures and strategic alliances. The Commission has proposed extending the Al Invest
programme for a further period (2000-2004) and increasing its funding, and has forwarded such a
proposal to the European Parliament. During the programme(cid:146)s initial period of operation there was
evidence that the procedures for making payments to operators were becoming cumbersome.

With this in mind and with the aim of identifying ways in which proper account could be taken of
operators(cid:146) views and needs, and given that the new Al Invest guide to procedure is currently in preparation
at the Commission, would the Commission answer the following questions:

(cid:129) What arrangements does the Commission intend to make for involving operators in the establishment

of procedures for the implementation of the new Al Invest programme?

(cid:129) To what extent may one look forward to the implementation of procedures for communication and
Invest

cooperation with operators which are more flexible than was the case during the Al
programme(cid:146)s initial period of operation?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1999)

In reply to the first part of the question, the Commission stresses that nothing can replace direct contact
with operators. In 1998 (London) and 1999 (Barcelona), meetings were arranged under the name Connect
to allow operators to exchange ideas with the Commission for about two days (in addition to direct
contact among operators in order to prepare proposals for meetings of firms, which are the main function
of Connect). At each of the meetings stock was taken of all the technical, administrative and financial
aspects, on which the success of the programme depends. Connect meetings will be arranged in the last
three months of every year from 2000 to 2004. Direct, individual contact with operators will also take
place, where necessary, by electronic and ordinary mail. There is now also a web site with an Intranet
((cid:145)members only(cid:146)) part reserved for operators (www.al-invest.org). A technical secretariat, which provides
support and advice for operators, will be maintained until the end of 2005.