WRITTEN QUESTION P-0926/00 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. New relations between the EU and Indonesia.
Date: 2000-03-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, East Timor, Indonesia, democratisation, international human rights law

13.2.2001

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C 46 E/79

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(18 May 2000)

Number of Council/European Parliament instruments and European Parliament instruments
that were repealed or expired in the year concerned

Year

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1991

1990

Regulations

Directives

Decisions

193

146

271

227

457

356

416

317

278

315

57

44

38

23

50

27

29

28

13

17

127

187

82

20

27

49

28

46

25

35

Source: General Report (1997-1999); Celex base (1990-1996).

Number of autonomous Commission instruments
that were repealed or expired in the year concerned (1)

Regulations

Directives

Decisions

612

551

503

698

957

922

949

848

884

881

17

13

27

8

7

10

6

12

22

6

381

260

199

227

241

390

483

237

242

228

Year

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1991

1990

Source: General Report (1997-1999); Celex base (1990-1996).
(1)

Except for instruments not published in the Official Journal or published in light type (routine
management instruments valid for a limited period).

(2001/C 46 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0926/00

by JosØ Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: New relations between the EU and Indonesia

(22 March 2000)

The Commission has announced that it wishes to adopt a new policy vis-(cid:224)-vis Indonesia and that it is
preparing a cooperation agreement. President Abdurrahman Wahid recently visited Brussels where he had
meetings with the Commission President, Romano Prodi, during which the topic was apparently raised. As
a follow-up, Chris Patten, Commissioner, is due to make a working visit to Indonesia.

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13.2.2001

Moves to encourage the consolidation of democracy in Indonesia may be looked upon with approval.
However, it should not be forgotten that the situation is still critical and uncertain and that a solution has
yet to be found to certain essential issues which have justifiably attracted the attention of the international
community and, in particular, of the European Union. This is the case with East Timor, whose (cid:145)file(cid:146) cannot
yet be regarded as closed, and also (amongst other violent cases of human rights abuse in Indonesia) with
the situation in the Moluccas. The five recent resolutions adopted by the European Parliament (1)
between September 1999 and January 2000 may in particular be referred to.

Any new European Union initiative relating to Indonesia must therefore meet the following conditions if it
is to be successfully implemented: [I] a guarantee that the Indonesian Government will not raise any
objection to a full investigation and the subsequent trial, under UN auspices, of those responsible for the
serious incidents which occurred in East Timor in 1999 and for the brutal human rights abuses committed
there, and that it will make an active contribution in those areas, both internally and internationally; [II] a
guarantee that the Indonesian Government will assume its responsibilities by contributing financially to the
reconstruction of East Timor, which was completely destroyed whilst under the authority of the Indonesian
military; [III] full, unrestricted repatriation of the tens of thousands of East Timorese who are currently
living in concentration camps in West Timor or in other parts of Indonesia; [IV] guarantee that there will
be no backsliding in Indonesia(cid:146)s democratisation process and that the military will be kept well away from
the centres of political decision-making; [V] guarantee that the Indonesian Government will fully respect
East Timor(cid:146)s independence and that it will be a good neighbour to the newly independent country; [VI]
guarantee that the Indonesian Government will fully respect human rights throughout its territory (cid:129) both
uphold them and ensure that they are upheld.

Does the new Commission initiative on relations with Indonesia meet these six requirements and have they
featured in the Commission(cid:146)s dealings with the Indonesian authorities?

(1) Resolution on the situation in East Timor (B5-0067/1999) of 16 September 1999; resolution on the serious human
rights violations in the Moluccas (B5-0145/1999) of 7 October 1999; resolution on East Timor (B5-0271/1999) of
18 November 1999; resolution on Indonesia (B5-0339/1999) of 16 December 1999; resolution on the situation in
the Moluccan Islands (B5-0034/1999) of 20 January 2000.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 2000)

The Commission(cid:146)s communication to the Council and Parliament (1) on (cid:145)Developing closer relations
between Indonesia and the European Union(cid:146) is a response to the Union(cid:146)s need to re-define, in the light
of recent developments, its relations with this important country. It acknowledges the difficulties of an
Indonesia in transition, and offers an active strategy to develop a constructive and comprehensive dialogue,
to promote political stability and good governance, to anchor democracy, and to assist reform and the
restoration of economic confidence. It does not propose the conclusion of a cooperation agreement. On
20 March 2000, the Council adopted conclusions endorsing the direction of the Commission(cid:146)s commu-
nication, which is also consistent with the spirit of past Parliament resolutions.

In the Commission(cid:146)s view, the Indonesian government is making praiseworthy efforts to address the
challenges it faces. These include violent regional unrest, structural economic and social problems, the need
to define the future position of the armed forces, and the need to implement effective administrative and
fiscal decentralisation. In its contacts with the Indonesian government, most recently at the first Senior
Officials Meeting (SOM) on 30 and 31 March 2000, the Commission welcomed the Indonesian govern-
ment(cid:146)s reforms, and its commitment to promote and uphold the respect of human rights and the rule of
law.

The proposed new dialogue with Indonesia will not affect the Commission(cid:146)s commitment to East Timor,
where it is contributing actively to the massive joint reconstruction effort being undertaken by the
international community. The Commission has explicitly stressed to the Indonesian authorities, on a
number of occasions, the need for close and neighbourly relations between Indonesia and East Timor.

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These have improved notably following the visit of Indonesian President Wahid to Dili. The Commission
shares the serious concerns expressed regarding the continued presence of displaced people in West Timor,
and remains ready to support the efforts of the Indonesian authorities and the international community to
resolve the issue of their future.

The Commission is also following closely Indonesia(cid:146)s investigative efforts to establish the truth regarding
past human rights abuses in East Timor.
It welcomes the declared commitment of the Indonesian
authorities to bring to trial those responsible for such abuses.

(1) COM(2000) 50 final.

(2001/C 46 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0930/00

by Stefano Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 March 2000)

Subject: Earthquake victims in Lazio

On 11 March 2000, several municipalities in Lazio,
Italy, were struck by a large earthquake. The
municipalities affected are situated in an upland area with particular social and economic problems,
together with a lack of transport links.

Because of the historic nature of the towns and villages in question, many buildings had not been brought
into line with recent legislation on protection against earthquakes, and were therefore highly vulnerable.

The initial estimate of the visible damage (cid:129) subject to investigations being made by the authorities (cid:129) is
tens of billions of lire (tens of millions of euro).

The people affected have had to find temporary accommodation in tents, containers or with relatives living
far away. Generally speaking, these people are in difficult financial circumstances or are elderly, and are
therefore particularly upset by the situation.

Given the above:

1. what urgent measures does the Commission intend to take in order to begin, without delay, the

process of restoring the areas in question?

2. what action does it
appropriate measures?

intend to take to encourage the regional and national authorities to take

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(10 May 2000)

The Commission is fully aware of the social and economic consequences for the Lazio municipalities
struck by the earthquake on 11 March.

Although there is no longer a budget heading specifically for emergency aid in the event of natural
disaster, the Commission will do all in its power to assist rebuilding in the areas concerned and to provide
the necessary help to the people affected.

It is important to stress that, while the main aim of the Community(cid:146)s structural and cohesion policies is to
help reduce economic and social disparities,
the Structural Funds do not constitute emergency aid.
However, their scope is such that they are able to provide significant assistance towards economic and
social reconstruction in disaster regions.