WRITTEN QUESTION P-0148/01 by Florence Kuntz (UEN) to the Commission. Consequences of the use of munitions containing depleted uranium.
Date: 2001-01-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Yugoslavia, access to information, cancer, military personnel, nuclear weapon

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/33

depleted uranium in the munitions used during the conflict. Furthermore, suffering was inflicted on the
population by the bombardments and the use of depleted uranium has had disastrous effects on the
civilian population, soldiers and hundreds of voluntary workers in Kosovo.

In view of all this, does the Commission intend to ascertain the truth about the effects of the weapons used
in the Balkans and the various responsibilities for them?

Furthermore, will it ask the Member States to carry out health checks on all the soldiers who took part in
the peacekeeping operation in the Balkans?

(2001/C 261 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0148/01

by Florence Kuntz (UEN) to the Commission

(23 January 2001)

Subject: Consequences of the use of munitions containing depleted uranium

The national federation representing French servicemen and women, concerned for their well-being and
that of their European comrades in arms, has called for a clinical case definition of the (cid:145)Gulf War(cid:146) and
(cid:145)Balkans(cid:146) syndromes.

In view of the various statements made by the medical authorities in the various countries of the European
Union, would the Commission state its views and its position as soon as possible on the possible or known
effects on public health of the use of munitions containing depleted uranium, i.e. the (cid:145)Balkans syndrome(cid:146)
affecting some French servicemen and members of the armed forces of other European Union countries
who have served in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia?

Could the Commission state, as speedily as possible, the exact number of European servicemen and
Yugoslav civilians affected by the use of such munitions, and the areas of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia concerned?

If a direct link is established between the use of this type of munitions and the (cid:145)Balkans(cid:146) and (cid:145)Gulf War(cid:146)
syndromes, could the Commission state what priority public health measures it intends to propose to the
Member States as a matter of urgency?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0038/01, E-0062/01, E-0063/01 and P-0148/01
given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2001)

The Commission has invited the Group of Experts established under Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty to
give an opinion on the possible health consequences of exposure to ionising radiation emitted by depleted
Uranium. It has also facilitated a round-table discussion between international organisations with pro-
grammes in this area.

The responsibility for soldiers who have served in the Balkans is with Member States and North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation (NATO). The responsibility for taking action for the protection of people visiting the
region is also with Member States. The Commission will transmit any relevant information it receives from
international organisations and the opinion of the Group of Experts under Article 31 of the Euratom
Treaty in order to help Member States to decide on appropriate actions. The Commission itself will take
account of the scientific advice in offering medical follow-ups to its civil servants and contractors sent to
the region.

The information available at this stage does not provide any indication that foodstuffs are contaminated
with depleted Uranium.

C 261 E/34

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

The Commission is thus following developments relevant to the assessment of the possible link between
cases of ill-health among those who have carried out missions in the Balkans and the use of depleted
Uranium in missiles fired on targets in the region. Among the principle sources of information is the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) which has carried out a sampling campaign in the region,
the results of which be available in March 2001.

(2001/C 261 E/034)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0048/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 January 2001)

Subject: Aid for Groupement EuropØen de Recherches Technologiques sur les Hydrocarbures

In her answer to written question E-1041/00 (1), Mrs de Palacio says that since 1990 the Commission has
provided Groupement EuropØen de Recherches Technologiques sur les Hydrocarbures with total aid
amounting to € 49 455 924. As a result, the latter has received ca. 62 % of EU aid for the French oil
industry.

1. Who submitted successive requests for subsidies on behalf of
Recherches Technologiques sur les Hydrocarbures to the Commission?

the Groupement EuropØen de

2. When was the first request for a subsidy submitted by it to the Commission?

3. Who carries out checks on the Groupement EuropØen de Recherches Technologiques sur les
Hydrocarbures (shareholders, holdings in other undertakings, composition of the board of management)?

4. What projects did the Groupement EuropØen de Recherches Technologiques sur les Hydrocarbures
carry out in the period 1990-1998?

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001, p. 110.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2001)

1.
The list of companies submitting the different requests for subsidies to the Commission on behalf of
the Groupement europØen de recherches technologiques sur les hydrocarbures is being sent directly to the
Honourable Member and to the Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

The first request for subsidy for the Groupement europØen de recherches technologiques sur les

2.
hydrocarbures (GERTH) was submitted in 1975.

3.

GERTH can be defined as the following:

GERTH is an economic interest grouping (GIE) governed by the order of 23 September 1967
(statutory order promulgated by the French authorities authorising the creation of an economic
interest grouping).

Created in 1974,
following members:

le Groupe de recherches technologiques sur les hydrocarbures is made up of the

(cid:129) ELF Aquitaine, Tour Elf 2, Place la Coupole, La DØfense 6, F-92400 Courbevoie (No RCS Nanterre

B555120784);

(cid:129) Totalfina SA, 2, Place la Coupole, La DØfense (cid:129) F-92400 Courbevoie (No RCS Nanterre

B542051180);

(cid:129) Institut Fran(cid:231)ais du PØtrole (IFP) 1-4, Avenue de Bois PrØau (cid:129) F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison.