WRITTEN QUESTION E-3434/00 by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) and Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) to the Council. Protection of Italian journalists in the Middle East ‐ freedom of the press.
Date: 2000-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, antisemitism, freedom of the press

C 174 E/54

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

One should not forget that the current level of Community excise duty rates on mineral oils has remained
unchanged since 1 January 1993. Finally, concerning the request for a general Commission assessment of
the effect
taxation has on the growth rate and the international competitiveness of European
economies as compared to the United States, the Commission notes that the Community is considerably
more efficient in its energy use than the United States, at least in part due to the positive incentives for fuel
saving offered by the higher level of fuel taxation in the Community.

fuel

(1) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.
(2) This rate is valid for the period from 16.10.2000 to 27.4.2001; outside this period the normal rate of € 252,55/

1 000 litres is applied.

(3) COM(97) 30 final.

(2001/C 174 E/054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3434/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) and Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) to the Council

(8 November 2000)

Subject: Protection of Italian journalists in the Middle East (cid:129) freedom of the press

Following the interview given by the Italian Prime Minister, Massimo D(cid:146)Alema, in which he criticised the
Jewish community in Israel, further statements by the RAI correspondent in Jerusalem against the activities
of the free press in the Middle East are a source of deep concern. The letter sent by the RAI journalist,
Riccardo Cristiano, to the Palestinian authorities(cid:146) semi-official daily Al-Hayat al-Jadida, reporting that the
pictures of the lynching of the two Israeli soldiers were not shown by Italian State television represents a
serious attack on the freedom of those sections of the press which are not anti-Israeli.

The statements by a leader of Italy(cid:146)s main governing party and the attitude shown by the Italian State
television correspondent simply contribute to fuelling anti-Semitic feeling in the European Union.

What action does the Council intend to take to help guarantee journalists(cid:146) freedom of activity, to protect
their independence from political parties and to prevent the rise of hatred against Jews living in Europe?

Reply

(26 February 2001)

The Council would draw the Honourable Members(cid:146) attention to the reply given to Written Question

1.
E-3089/00 concerning an attack on a Jewish teacher by a group of neo-Nazi skinheads.

2.
As regards equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, on 29 June 2000
the Council adopted a Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespec-
tive of racial or ethnic origin (1).

A proposal for a Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and
occupation and a proposal for a Decision establishing a Community action programme to combat
discrimination (2001-2006) are being examined by the Council and will shortly be adopted.

(1) OJ L 180, 19.7.2000, p. 22.