WRITTEN QUESTION P-0903/01 by Gunilla Carlsson (PPE-DE) to the Council. Reception given to President Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
Date: 2001-03-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Zimbabwe, diplomatic relations, human rights, political violence, suspension of aid

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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

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intervention in the Congo Robert Mugabe is regarded by some EU Member States as a negotiating partner
rather than an autocrat with no respect for human rights. Representatives of the Council and Commission
also met Robert Mugabe for talks.

What is the Council(cid:146)s attitude towards Robert Mugabe and the situation in Zimbabwe? Does it intend to
take specific action in the form of withdrawing aid in order to put pressure on the Mugabe regime, or does
it intend to confine itself to talk?

Reply

(16 July 2001)

The Council considers Robert Mugabe as a legally elected president of an independent country, but already
it expressed deep concern at the
in May last year before the Parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe,
breakdown in the rule of law in Zimbabwe, the ongoing violence,
illegal occupation of
loss of life,
property and the continuing political intimidation in the run up to the parliamentary elections.

During his recent visit to Europe, representatives of the Presidency on its own accord participated in
a lunch with the Commission and President Mugabe, but representatives of the Council did not meet with
President Mugabe for talks.

The General Affairs Council on 26/27 February 2001 had an exchange of views on Zimbabwe. It agreed
to take the necessary steps to propose to the government of Zimbabwe a comprehensive and balanced
dialogue. The Council also agreed to come back to this issue in due course.

The holding of a political dialogue with Zimbabwe under article 8 of the Cotonou agreement in line with
the Council conclusions, was proposed to Zimbabwe and is still awaiting a formal response from the
authorities. Under this dialogue the EU hopes that both parties will be able to promote a stable democratic
political environment in Zimbabwe and thereby also contribute to peace, security and stability in the
country. The EU wishes the dialogue to be comprehensive, balanced and deep and a forum for open and
forthright exchanges of views. It must also be seen as an evolving process.

EU aid to Zimbabwe does not cover budget support anymore, it does not contribute with aid to the
productive sectors, it has instead been refocused on the social sectors in order to protect human capital
during these difficult years for Zimbabwe. Disbursement of aid has dropped over the last three years, but
the Council has not discussed any withdrawal of aid to Zimbabwe.

The EU is of course also following the behaviour of Zimbabwe in the context of the application of the
Lusaka cease-fire agreement and the ongoing troop withdrawals in the DRC.

(2001/C 340 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0906/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Workers(cid:146) health and safety

The Commission(cid:146)s reply to my Question No E-0339/00 (1) on adequate controls by the Member States in
compliance with Article 4(2) of framework Directive 89/391/EEC (2) on the improvement of the safety and
health of workers states that:
(cid:145)If specific data should reach the Commission, showing that national
administrations have failed in their obligations in this respect, the Commission would take appropriate
action, notably by opening infringement proceedings under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, if required by the
results of the investigation of the specific case.(cid:146)