WRITTEN QUESTION P-3202/00 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. American obstacles to European humanitarian initiatives on Iraq and the flight to Iraq.
Date: 2000-10-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Iraq, United States, common foreign and security policy, humanitarian aid, international sanctions

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/93

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(15 December 2000)

The Commission has always emphasised its commitment to issues related to the fight against doping.

However, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, the Commission is unable to
see how Community law could be affected by the decision taken by the International Cycling Union (ICU).

In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Commission is therefore of the opinion that this is not a
Community matter and, as a result, it must refrain from intervening. Indeed, the matter would seem to be
more the concern of the sports organisations.

(2001/C 151 E/105)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3202/00

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 October 2000)

Subject: American obstacles to European humanitarian initiatives on Iraq and the (cid:145)flight to Iraq(cid:146)

1.
Is the Commission aware of the initiative of 126 prominent Europeans, including members of the
parliaments of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, to visit Iraq on 29 September as part of the
(cid:145)flight to Iraq(cid:146) fact-finding mission regarding the plight of the people of that country as a result of the long-
term boycott of the Saddam Hussein regime?

2.
Is the Commission aware that the flight to Iraq had to be postponed because at the last moment the
Belgian carrier, Bruxelles International, refused to perform the flight from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (Paris)
which had been agreed with, and reported to, the United Nations sanctions commission in good time?

Those taking part

3.
the flight did not go ahead because the US
Administration informed the Belgian government that the Belgian carrier would be punished by having
its American landing rights withdrawn. Does the Commission have any information to confirm or deny
this and, if not, is the Commission prepared to launch an inquiry into what happened?

in the mission believe that

4. Was the Commission informed or consulted about this issue in any way in advance? If so, what was
the Commission(cid:146)s attitude?

5.
Does the Commission agree that the fact that the US Administration applies a more stringent boycott
of Iraq than agreed by the United Nations should not result in it demanding that other countries (cid:129)
including the Member States of the European Union (cid:129) accept the American view?

Does the Commission also agree that any pressure on European companies (cid:129) including transport

6.
companies (cid:129) to fall in line with the views of the USA, as referred to in question 5, is unacceptable?

In the light of Parliament(cid:146)s resolutions on Iraq (B5-0342, 0349, 0365 and 374/00) of April 2000 (cid:129)
7.
which, in the light of the drastic effect on the civilian population and the lack of any impact on the Iraqi
regime (cid:129) called for an immediate end to the embargo, how does the Commission intend to ensure that
from now on no obstacles are placed in the way of humanitarian contacts with the population of Iraq
which are not based on decisions taken by the national authorities, the European Union or the United
Nations?

8.
Given the opinion of the European Parliament referred to in question 7, is the Commission prepared
in future to lend active support to initiatives for human contacts with the people of Iraq and to ensure that
the alternative flight to Iraq planned for the near future can actually go ahead?

C 151 E/94

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2000)

Referring to the intitiative of 126 Europeans to visit Iraq by a chartered airplane on 29 September 2000
and the cancellation of
the
Commission is aware of this incident from various reports. The reports are not clear on the reasons for
the cancellation of the flight. This is a matter between the airline company and the aviation authorities of
Belgium and France (the countries of departures of the flight).

from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport at

the last moment,

this flight

The sanction regime, which governs Iraq(cid:146)s relations with the rest of the world, has been subject to
intensive debate and different interpretation, especially the conditions for clearance of flights to Iraq. As far
as flights between the Community and Iraq are concerned, Council Regulation (EC) No 2465/96 (1)
provides that flights are only allowed if the Iraq Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council has
given an authorisation. Requests for such authorisations are usually routed to the Iraq Sanctions
Committee through the authorities of the Member States. Therefore, the Commission is normally not
involved in decisions on individual flights.

Since 1991, the Community has been the major donor of humanitarian aid to Iraq with a total of € 242
million. The Community has continued this assistance with an allocation of € 8,5 million in 2000. The
assistance is implemented by European non-governmental organisations and the United Nations (UN)
agencies in the framework of the sanction regime adopted by the UN. The Community supports any
humanitarian assistance initiatives benefiting the Iraq population within this framework, including allowing
humanitarian flights to Iraq.

(1) OJ L 337, 27.12.1996.

(2001/C 151 E/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3203/00

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(12 October 2000)

Subject: Maritime safety

Parliament has previously expressed doubts not only about
the democratic legitimacy of voluntary
agreements but also concern about the ability of such agreements to deliver results, especially in respect
of implementation.

In the light of this, what reassurances can the Commission give that the proposed voluntary agreement on
maritime safety will genuinely add to legislative effort aiming for a safer marine environment, that parties
involved comprehensively cover the affected activities, that monitoring and compliance can be ensured,
and that provisions are compatible with as yet undecided EU legislation?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2000)

In its communication on the safety of the seaborne oil trade of 21 March 2000 (1) the Commission
indicated its intention to facilitate a voluntary agreement between those involved in the transport of oil at
sea. In part 5.C of the communication the possible terms of such an agreement were outlined. The
communication was addressed to the Parliament and the Council.

Since the adoption of the communication, discussions have taken place with representatives of tanker
owners, classification societies, oil companies and oil trading firms in order to explore their willingness to
commit themselves to certain voluntary undertakings and thus encourage them to take immediate action
to improve maritime safety. There is no guarantee so far that such agreement will be adopted.