WRITTEN QUESTION P-0121/01 by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Kidnapping and illegal detention of Mr Tsiakourmas.
Date: 2001-01-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, Türkiye, arrest, political kidnapping, the EU's international role

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/13

The Stockholm European Council discussed how to create more and better jobs, accelerate economic
reform, modernise the European social model and harness new technologies.

With regard to the second question, the Council draws the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to the fact that,
in the context of the new Structural Funds programmes for the period 2000-2006, the European Union
will be providing Member States with a considerable amount of financial support for the development and
implementation of their employment policies.

In the context of the European employment strategy, the European Union will set aside almost € 60 billion
for the European Social Fund over the next seven years in order to:

(cid:129) promote greater economic and social cohesion within the European Union;

(cid:129) promote job creation and competitiveness in the European Union by investing in skills development;

(cid:129) support

the specific needs of
development is lagging behind;

the labour market

in those regions of

the Community where

(cid:129) back up the commitments undertaken, at
a dynamic, knowledge-based economy;

the Lisbon European Council meeting,

to promote

(cid:129) proceed with the necessary investment in human resources and training infrastructure to accompany

the development and introduction of new technologies;

(cid:129) enable everyone to enjoy the fruits of economic growth;

(cid:129) eliminate the gender gap in employment.

Community action (cid:129) notably under the Swedish Presidency (cid:129) is therefore addressing the concerns
expressed by the Honourable Member.

(2001/C 340 E/013)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0121/01

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

Subject: Kidnapping and illegal detention of Mr Tsiakourmas

(24 January 2001)

On 13 December 2000, Mr Panikos Tsiakourmas, a Greek-Cypriot building contractor, was kidnapped
from a British base on the outskirts of the village of Pergamos. Since then he has been held by the Turkish-
Cypriot authorities on the patently trumped-up charge of possession of drugs.

Mr Tsiakourmas has no previous criminal record and there has never been any indication that he was
involved in drugs in any shape or form.

Mr Tsiakourmas, moreover, suffers from diabetes. The Hungarian diabetes specialist sent by the UN to
examine him a few days ago described his condition as serious; Mr Tsiakourmas had a blood sugar count
of 349 as opposed to the norm of 100, he was exhausted and no longer capable of walking.

What immediate measures will the Council take in response to this flagrant violation of human rights,
which is tantamount to a premeditated attempt on the victim(cid:146)s life?

Reply

(10 July 2001)

The Council has been informed by the British authorities of the kidnapping of Mr Tsiakourmas from
a British base. British authorities consider that there is strong circumstantial evidence that Mr Tsiakourmas
was arrested illegally and taken away from their Eastern Sovereign Base Area. The matter has been pursued

C 340 E/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

by EU Member States, and also by Unficyp. The UK took the matter up with both the Turkish authorities
and the Turkish-Cypriot Community, and by Greece with the Turkish government. The Council is relieved
that Mr Tsiakourmas has now been released, but is concerned by the guilty verdict, which appears to take
no account of the evidence gathered by the base police or the fact that he had been taken against his will
from the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA).

(2001/C 340 E/014)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0222/01

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(8 February 2001)

Subject: Used depleted uranium in the EU(cid:146)s rapid reaction force

The resolution (B5-0047, 0049, 0050, 0051 and 0054/2001) on the use of depleted uranium which the
European Parliament adopted on 17 January 2001 called for a moratorium on the use of depleted uranium
weapons in accordance with the precautionary principle.

However, some Member States and members of NATO are determined to continue using munitions
containing depleted uranium in Challenger tanks and in Sea Hawk fighter aircraft forming part of the rapid
reaction force.

Can the Council provide a list of munitions currently in use which contain depleted uranium?

If not, why not?

If so, is the Council prepared to allow the precautionary principles to apply (as called for by Parliament)
and to ask Member States to discontinue using such munitions?

Reply

(10 July 2001)

The Council discussed the issue of depleted uranium in munitions on 22 January 2001 and expressed its
commitment to seek full clarity on this issue. Ministers also called for full transparency and open exchange
of
the Member States, as well as with other organisations
investigating this matter.

information between the authorities of

The Council does not have at its disposal a list of munitions currently in use, which contain depleted
uranium. The decisions on the use of various types of munitions are taken by the Member States on the
basis of their national sovereignty.

The Council, on 9 April 2001 had an exchange of views on the issue of depleted uranium munitions in
the light of scientific evidence compiled by various international organisations.

At the end of this exchange of views, the President summarised the discussion thus:

(cid:129) The Council notes the work by various international organisations (UNEP, WHO, NATO, Ad hoc
Group of experts set up by the Commission) on the possible health and environmental impact of
exposure to depleted uranium in ammunition used in the Balkans.

(cid:129) In these detailed and objective examinations, there exists no scientific evidence to link the use of
depleted uranium with various illnesses suffered in the population or among those who served in
conflict areas.

(cid:129) However, due to the apparent health and environmental problems in the region the Council should
remain committed to following possible further investigations closely and re-examining the issue if
appropriate at a future stage.