WRITTEN QUESTION P-0902/01 by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Take-overs of American companies.
Date: 2001-03-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United States, company buyout, international competition, non-tariff barrier, trade relations

C 340 E/118

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

(2001/C 340 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0902/01

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 March 2001)

Subject: Take-overs of American companies

ASML, a European manufacturer of microchip machines, has for months been seeking authorisation from
the competent US authorities and the US administration to take over the American company SVG. It is
thought that ASML(cid:146)s American competitor Ultratech Stepper is trying to delay this take-over by means of
political pressure on Congress.

How is Commissioner Lamy involved in talks with the US authorities about this take-over?

What pressure can Commissioner Lamy bring to bear, or has he brought to bear, on US trade envoy Bob
Zoelick to ensure that this take-over, including that of Tinsley Laboratories, can be completed as quickly as
possible and to prevent any further delay or imposition of conditions by Congress?

In his talks with the new US administration in the context of the new WTO trade round, to what extent
will the Commissioner raise the issue of the obstacles created by Congress when European ICT firms seek
to take over American businesses? Are there any other ways in which the Commissioner could expedite
this take-over?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2001)

At the request of ASM Lithography and of the Dutch authorities in Washington, the Member of the
Commission responsible for trade, raised with both United States Trade Representative Zoellick and United
States Secretary of Treasury O(cid:146)Neill the investigation under the Exon-Florio national security legislation of
the proposed acquisition of Silicon Valley Group by ASM Lithography.

In his contacts with the American authorities, the Commission has made it clear that ASM Lithography is
willing to address any reasonable national security concern, but that commercial or industrial policy
questions should not play a role in consideration of this case. Both Ambassador Zoellick and Secretary
O(cid:146)Neill promised to look into the question.

The Commission will continue to closely follow this matter with a view to ensuring that the rights of
Community companies, in this case ASM Lithography, are fully respected.

(2001/C 340 E/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0903/01

by Gunilla Carlsson (PPE-DE) to the Council

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Reception given to President Mugabe of Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe(cid:146)s violations of human rights have been well documented. We have all seen and heard the
reports in the mass media of murders of farmers and opposition politicians. There are no grounds for
regarding Robert Mugabe(cid:146)s Zimbabwe as a democracy as the opposition is not allowed to operate freely
and the rights of property have been set aside. Despite the devastating impact on the country(cid:146)s economy,
property belonging to its white minority is being systematically expropriated. Mugabe supporters are
occupying farms by force and the government is giving them a share of the land seized.

However, on his trip around Europe, the red carpet was rolled out for Robert Mugabe and he met the
the ElysØe. After his military
Belgian Prime Minister, and was received by the French President at