WRITTEN QUESTION E-0432/01 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. EU participation in new Indian Ocean multilateral fisheries organisation.
Date: 2001-02-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Indian Ocean, common fisheries policy, world organisation

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/115

the hema and lendu groups and the massacres in the Bunia region of north-eastern DRC(cid:146)s Oriental
Province. A situation, exacerbated by the continued military presence of the Uganda army in this part of
DRC, which hampers the efforts to re-establish peace there.

In this context, the EU also called on the Ugandan authorities, responsible for upholding the respect for
human rights in areas under their control, to do their utmost to put an end to these massacres, and to use
their influence on the DRC rebel movement in the area to likewise concur with this objective.

Concerning the succession that took place in the DRC, the Council condemned the assassination of
President Laurent DØsirØ Kabila and reaffirmed that lasting peace in the DRC can only be achieved through
a negotiated peace settlement which is fair to all parties and through respect for democratic principles and
human rights in all States of the region.

The Council (General Affairs) has discussed the situation in the DRC both at its meetings in January and in
February, each time adopting conclusions expressing support for peace in the DRC and in the region in
accordance with the Lusaka Agreement and the Kampala and Harare Agreements and in conformity with
relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. It has likewise welcomed the adoption of UNSC Resolution
1341 approving the updated concept of operations for MONUC to which the EU has offered continued
political and material support.

The Council reiterated the importance of an early start to the National dialogue and the EU(cid:146)s readiness to
continue to support its institutional framework.

The Council welcomed the provisions in Resolution 1341 urging the parties to the conflict to co-operate
with the MONUC in the elaboration of a plan for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of all
armed groups referred to in Annex A, Chapter 9,1 of the Lusaka Agreement. The EU is willing to work
with the international community, in particular the UN specialised agencies on the modalities of such a
programme. It has also mandated the European Union(cid:146)s Special Representative to engage in a reflection on
how to pursue this question.

The Council (General Affairs) on 26 February 2001 also expressed deep concern at the continuing serious
human rights violations in the DRC and reminded the governments concerned of their responsibility and
accountability for upholding the respect for human rights by their own armed forces as well as by the
armed forces under their de facto control.

(2001/C 261 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0432/01

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 February 2001)

Subject: EU participation in new Indian Ocean multilateral fisheries organisation

From 5 to 10 February 2001 the FAO held a meeting on the island of RØunion to set up a multilateral
regional fisheries organisation covering the south-west Indian Ocean. The objective is to regulate the
exploitation of the region(cid:146)s fishing-grounds. Can the Commission state whether it intends to participate in
the process of creating this new regional fisheries organisation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2001)

The Commission is fully involved in the work on the establishment of the new Regional Fisheries
Organisation for the South of the Indian Ocean and took an active part at the meeting organised by the
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in RØunion on 5-10 February 2001.

C 261 E/116

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

The Commission is pleased to inform the Honourable Member that on 2 February 2001 the Council
adopted a negotiating mandate authorising the Commission to negotiate the setting up of this new
Regional Fisheries Organisation.

(2001/C 261 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0437/01

by Martin Callanan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 February 2001)

Subject: The BP Trent tragedy in June 1993

In June 1993, nine British sailors were killed when the Panamanian registered vessel the (cid:145)Western Winner(cid:146)
collided with the British fuel tanker the (cid:145)BP British Trent(cid:146) near the Belgian port of Ostend.

Maritime investigations into the accident have shown that the Korean captain and crew of the (cid:145)Western
Winner(cid:146) were to blame, having failed to comply with essential maritime safety laws. In spite of this, neither
the captain and crew of the ship nor its owners, Alpha Beta Investments, have been prosecuted for
malpractice.

What measures is the Commission taking to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 2001)

The Commission takes the view that it has no jurisdiction to prosecute the captain, the crew or the owner
of the ship. Nevertheless, the Commission asked the Belgian authorities for information regarding the facts
referred to by the Honourable Member. From the information received it appears that the case is still
pending before the Criminal Court of Bruges and that the Belgian authorities thus cannot interfere with the
judicial process.

(2001/C 261 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0441/01

by Michiel van Hulten (PSE) to the Commission

(16 February 2001)

Subject: Recruitment of permanent officials at the European Commission

Can the Commission indicate:

1. How many permanent officials it has recruited since 1 January 1991 through open competitions,

broken down by nationality, category and grade?

2. How many of these new officials broken down by nationality, category and grade, have since
terminated their employment with the Commission on a permanent basis? How many are presently
on unpaid leave (CCP), broken down by nationality, category and grade?