WRITTEN QUESTION E-2731/99 by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Nicaragua: corruption and EU aid.
Date: 2000-01-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Nicaragua, corruption, use of aid

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/101

(2000/C 303 E/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2731/99

by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(13 January 2000)

Subject: Nicaragua: corruption and EU aid

Following the arrest of the President of the Nicaraguan Court of Auditors, Mr Agustin Jarquin, who had
spoken out against serious financial irregularities committed by the present government, does the EU intend
to review its programme of aid to the country without delay, pending Mr Jarquin(cid:146)s release, the reestablish-
ment of proper institutional controls on the activities of the government and a thorough investigation of
the above allegations?

Reply

(10/11 April 2000)

1.
As the Honourable Member is probably aware, Mr Agust(cid:237)n Jarquin, Comptroller General of the
Republic of Nicaragua, was released from prison on 24 December 1999. This liberation is no doubt the
result of, on the one hand, the support given by numerous political personalities, the media and part of
Nicaraguan public opinion and, on the other, international pressure, including dØmarche carried out by the
European Union during the month of November 1999.

2.
On that occasion the Union expressed its deep concern about the events which led to the arrest and
imprisonment of Mr Jarquin and the institutional repercussions on the country(cid:146)s governability. It is true
that the consolidation of the rule of law, which involves, inter alia, a balance of powers and the existence
of an independent, professional justice system, is a lengthy process in a country deeply scarred by civil war
and a culture of confrontation. However, the imprisonment of the Comptroller General
looked like a
sanction centred chiefly on his attitude of independence vis-(cid:224)-vis the executive power and on his fight
against corruption.

3.
The EU underlined that rule of law, transparency and respect for the independence of democratic
institutions were of primary importance for any country and formed the foundation of development
efforts. The European Union further underlined that these were important conditions in reaching the
decision and the completion point of the initiative for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).

4.
Nicaragua has since decided to revise its Constitution. It is clear, as regards some aspects of the
institutional reforms under way, that the problem does not lie in the structures, whether or not collegial,
of the (cid:145)Controlaria(cid:146), but rather in the need to prevent the independence of that institution from being
limited, to ensure that those structures are free from politics and that they can carry out their respective
duties fully and with complete transparency. Through the European Union, the Group of Five and
international
the international community is keeping up a dialogue with the
Government of Nicaragua with a view to bolstering the necessary independence of the institutions.

institutions,

financial

The EU will continue to follow closely the situation in Nicaragua, and in relation to its aid to the

5.
country will abide by the principles mentioned above and as set out in the Stockholm declaration.

(2000/C 303 E/096)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2733/99

by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Council

(13 January 2000)

Subject: Italian law which discriminates against disabled persons over the age of 65

Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam states that the Union is to combat all discrimination based on age.

Is the Council aware of the fact that Italian law (Article 19 of Law No 118 of 30 March 1971 and
subsequent amendments) provides for the granting of a life-long financial benefit for citizens who are