WRITTEN QUESTION E-2661/00 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Persecution in the Moluccas.
Date: 2000-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Christian, Moluccas, common foreign and security policy, political violence

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/205

The Commission has since contacted the United States consumer product safety commission (CPSC) to
seek factual information on these reports and in particular the levels and types of fibres found and the
types and brands of products. The CPSC has shared its preliminary findings as presented in the press
release quoted by the New York Times of 14 June 2000 mentioned by the Honourable Member. The CPSC
is in the process of finalising the results of the study and has agreed to provide the Commission with a
copy of the report.

In parallel, the Commission has informed the members of the emergencies committee of Council Directive
92/59/EEC of 29 June 1992, on general product safety (1) of this potential problem and has requested any
pertinent information which may be available to the Member States.

If the reports are confirmed, the Commission will
inform the Member States in order to ensure that
products containing the asbestos fibres are considered for appropriate market restrictions in line with the
current provisions of Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws,
regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing
and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (2).

(1) OJ L 228, 11.8.1992.
(2) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2001/C 103 E/234)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2661/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Persecution in the Moluccas

The European Parliament has already adopted two resolutions on human rights violations in the Moluccas
(Indonesia), the first in January 2000 and the second in July 2000,
in order to protest against the
persecution of Christians and the devastation of villages inhabited by Indonesians practising the Christian
religion, violations which have now been going on for months.

Can the Commission indicate what it has done on the basis of those two resolutions to bring about a
genuine improvement in the situation?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2000)

The Commission closely follows events in the archipelago and shares the concerns expressed by the
Honourable Member, in particular with regard to the apparent incapacity of the Indonesian security forces
to control the violence.

Together with the majority of the international community, the Commission considers that the conflict in
the Moluccas is primarily an internal matter for Indonesia. Up until now, the Indonesian government has
refused foreign assistance to help solve the crisis, as only humanitarian assistance has been accepted.

Against this background, the Commission through its European Community(cid:146)s Humanitarian Office (ECHO)
has intervened in the Moluccas, as far as the security situation has permitted,
in order to ease the
humanitarian tragedy. Since 1999, assistance has been provided through non governmental organizations
(NGOs) to the victims of the conflict,
including displaced people. However, the precarious security
situation and a deliberate government policy to restrict access to the island has temporarily halted
operations of partner NGOs.

C 103 E/206

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

The Commission is in contact with the highest authorities and church leaders, and uses every appropriate
occasion to convey its concern to the Indonesian authorities. Consultations continue with Member States
on the issue.

(2001/C 103 E/235)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2664/00

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill

Does the Commission believe that the UK Government(cid:146)s Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill http://
if enacted in its present
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldbills/093/2000093.htm would,
form, in any way breach European law?

In particular, would the Bill contravene the terms of the e-commerce Directive or any part of the EU(cid:146)s data
protection legislation?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2000)

The Commission has been monitoring the passage of
legislation, which has now been enacted.

the Regulation of

Investigatory Powers Bill

The Commission is in the process of completing its internal legal analysis of this legislation, which is
particularly complex from a technical point of view. The Commission will examine the Act in question to
ensure full compliance with both Community legislation in the field of data protection and electronic
commerce.

(2001/C 103 E/236)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2667/00

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Strategy to combat legionella bacteria

In March 1999, the Netherlands was struck by an epidemic of legionnaire(cid:146)s disease. In Kapellen, Belgium,
too, people died from legionnaire(cid:146)s disease.

1. What preventive measures have now been taken in the Member States of the EU in order to prevent
legionnaire(cid:146)s disease?

Can the Commission indicate the extent to which, in its opinion, those measures provide protection

2.
for public health?

3. What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of a harmonised European policy to prevent and combat legion-
naire(cid:146)s disease? What role does the Commission see in such a policy for itself and for the current Dutch
policy?