WRITTEN QUESTION E-0029/00 by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Monitoring of the referendum in Western Sahara.
Date: 2000-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Western Sahara, common foreign and security policy, election monitoring, referendum, self-determination

C 303 E/128

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

Which Member States permit any form of arms exports to NATO countries?

What initiatives are being taken to prevent distortion of competition?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2000)

Up to now, on the basis of Article 296 (ex Article 223) of the EC Treaty, trade in arms has been exempt
from the scope of application of Treaty rules. There has therefore not been any basis for Community
action.

The arms trade is currently dealt with in the context of the Common foreign and security policy (CFSP),
with which the Commission is fully associated. A code of conduct was agreed in 1998. First experiences
have been positive but also show that there is room for strengthening both the code and its implementa-
tion.

However, the Commission possesses neither the authority nor the means to monitor arms sales by
Member States and to confirm or deny possible violations of embargoes. Full responsibility for the
licensing of arms exports belongs to national governments.

(2000/C 303 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0029/00

by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(20 January 2000)

Subject: Monitoring of the referendum in Western Sahara

For more than seven years, the Sahrawi people have been waiting for news from the Moroccan authorities
about a referendum on the future of Western Sahara. The Moroccan authorities have more than once
broken agreements they had with Polisario regarding the date of the referendum. However, registration of
those entitled to vote has now resumed, and a referendum campaign is being planned that is expected to
be concluded on 31 July 2000, which is also the date on which the referendum is scheduled to take place.
The risk of electoral fraud is great, and an international team of monitors needs to be sent in order to
ensure that the referendum takes place in a democratic manner. Will the Council assist in monitoring the
referendum on the future of Western Sahara?

Reply

(10/11 April 2000)

The Council has fully supported the Settlement Plan proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General,
which aims at the holding of a free, fair and impartial referendum to give effect to the principle of self-
determination of the people of Western Sahara. It notes the concern expressed by the Secretary-General in
his recent report, that (cid:145)the fundamental differences(cid:146) (between Morocco and the Polisario Front) (cid:145)raise doubts
about the possibility of achieving a smooth and consensual implementation of the Settlement Plan(cid:146).

In that report on the Western Sahara, the United Nations Secretary-General stated that he intended to ask
his Personal Envoy, James Baker, (cid:145)to consult with the parties ((cid:133)) to explore ways and means to achieve an
early, durable and agreed resolution of their dispute(cid:146).

The Council will pursue its efforts aiming at creating a climate of confidence and trust between all parties
involved in order to reach a long term solution acceptable to all the parties concerned. It is in direct
contact with the United Nations General Secretary(cid:146)s Special Representative for Western Sahara, Ambassa-
dor Eagleton, in order to see how it can best contribute to this process.