WRITTEN QUESTION E-0222/01 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Used depleted uranium in the EU's rapid reaction force.
Date: 2001-02-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: environmental protection, health policy, nuclear weapon, rapid reaction force

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.

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/15

(cid:129) The Commission is already addressing some of the environmental problems in the regions through
ongoing projects. The Council encourages the Commission to take into account findings from the
reports on depleted uranium, as well as the overall situation concerning environment and health
issues, as the Commission draws up new country strategy papers for all the countries in the Western
Balkans.

(2001/C 340 E/015)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0248/01

by Cristina Garc(cid:237)a-Orcoyen Tormo (PPE-DE) to the Council

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Regulation of alcohol consumption on various forms of transport, particularly aircraft

Drunkenness among passengers on various forms of transport is a relatively frequent occurrence. Such is
the case on aircraft, where alcohol is served to passengers free of charge, with no restrictions on quantity.

Bearing in mind the inconvenience these kinds of situations cause for both passengers and crew, and the
inadvisability,
from the point of view of health, of consuming alcoholic beverages while travelling,
especially on long plane journeys, will the Council state whether it has given consideration to this issue
with a view to regulating the consumption of alcoholic beverages on various forms of transport, and on
aircraft in particular? If so, what conclusions has it reached?

Reply

(10 July 2001)

The Council is aware that alcohol abuse on board aircraft can have a greater effect on bodily functions
than in other situations.

As far as the flight safety aspects are concerned, the consumption of alcohol by pilots and cabin crew is
governed by very strict rules.

The Council has never had occasion to discuss the matter raised by the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question.

(2001/C 340 E/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0257/01

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Council

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Right of Resale

What measures does the Council intend to take to ensure a (cid:145)standard level of protection(cid:146) for the purposes
of the draft Directive on the Right of Resale to ensure that they are in conformity with the provisions of
Article 5 of the Treaty establishing the European Community in the implementation of the draft Directive
by the Member States, with particular regard to tax treatment?

(2001/C 340 E/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0259/01

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Council

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Right of Resale

What provisions will the natural or legal persons referred to in Article 9 of the draft Directive on the Right
of Resale be required to make for payment of the potential right in the case of unknown and unknowable
claims?