WRITTEN QUESTION E-1274/01 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Study on North-African Muslim fundamentalist movements.
Date: 2001-05-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: North Africa, political geography, religious fundamentalism, social analysis

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/231

Given reports that war crimes committed in the Timorese war may go unpunished, what is the EU doing
to promote public confidence that
justice will be done, within the context of moves towards
reconciliation? Does the Commission consider there is a role for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission,
on the South Africa pattern?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern about
development of a pluralistic democratic society in East Timor.

the need to contribute to the

In its operations in the territory, the Commission has established a set of priorities which have been
translated into distinct projects of humanitarian aid, rehabilitation and development:

(cid:129) After the September 1999 violence, humanitarian aid was a matter of urgency. This aid, especially in
the areas of public health, is still being funded by the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office
(ECHO);

(cid:129) From the beginning of the independence process, it was also recognised that the nascent structures of
a newly built administration would need assistance. For this reason, the Commission has contributed
to the financing of the United Nations-administration in East-Timor (Untaet);

(cid:129) At the same time, rehabilitation of infrastructure and health services was funded by the Commission,
through the Trust Fund for East Timor (TFET). Contributions to this Trust Fund have been provided in
2000, and in 2001, a further contribution will be given;

(cid:129) As to the longer term development perspective, the Commission is currently planning for the period
2002-2006. Serious consideration will be given to those sectors which allow for a maximum impact
in relation to the identified needs and added value through Community financing;

Finally, according to the agreed political calendar, the first democratic elections for a constituent assembly
will be held in August 2001. The Commission is currently undertaking an exploratory mission to the
territory, in order to identify possible support for this important event. Such assistance in the electoral
process could constitute an essential element for the development of a stable democracy in East Timor.

The question of past human rights violations in East Timor has to be addressed in a wider perspective.
Firstly,
in the internal context of East Timor where, as yet, the East Timorese do not have political
responsibility. The first government of an independent East Timor, which will take office after the August
2001 elections, will certainly be committed to deal with the issues raised, and it will receive appropriate
from the Commission in its efforts. The possibility of a truth and reconciliation
encouragement
commission can then be examined by the new government, together with other options. In the meantime,
it is evident that the United Nations administration is taking all possible measures to treat all communities
fairly.

Secondly, with regard to the role of parts of the Indonesian armed forces and of individual citizens in East
Timor(cid:146)s recent past, the Commission is actively pursuing all appropriate channels to recall the Indonesian
government(cid:146)s responsibility to bring perpetrators to justice.

(2001/C 318 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1274/01

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Study on North-African Muslim fundamentalist movements

(2 May 2001)

Muslim fundamentalist movements in North Africa have grown in importance to the extent that they now
constitute a true political, if not parliamentary, opposition. Moreover, their ability to mobilise support,
notably in suburban areas and in universities, give serious cause for concern to all in the Southern reaches
of the Union.

C 318 E/232

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

For this reason, this sociological phenomenon should be closely monitored in order to continually assess
future developments and prevent possible adverse consequences of
it gaining broad support in the
countries of Northern Africa.

Does the Commission therefore consider that it should support a detailed and exhaustive study on North-
African Muslim fundamentalist movements in order to assess their development and their potentially
decisive influence in this geopolitical area?

Reply given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(31 May 2001)

The Commission has no plans to conduct such a study.

(2001/C 318 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1275/01

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Community aid for the Euro-Arab Foundation in Granada

(2 May 2001)

The Euro-Arab Foundation established in Granada (Spain) in 1995 as an alternative to the failed Euro-Arab
University has also been a fiasco.

Both projects, which were promoted by the European Union and the Spanish Goverrment as a means of
cementing cooperation between Europe and Arab countries, failed for lack of funding. The plan is now to
relaunch the Foundation, providing it with the substance it never had.

Can the Commission say why it failed to provide the Euro-Arab Foundation in Granada with adequate
financial support and to what extent it would now be prepared to provide financial and logistical
assistance in order to ensure that the programme drawn up by those responsible for the relaunched
Foundation is implemented and thus achieve the medium and long-term objective of cementing
cooperation between the European Union and Arab countries?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2001)

The Commission has been the biggest financial backer of the Euro-Arab Management School (EAMS) in
Granada since its establishment in 1995, contributing € 6 million to the School(cid:146)s capital and € 2,5 million
to its running costs.

Despite these investments, supplemented by Spanish national and regional contributions, the EAMS has
never managed to attain the requisite level of effectiveness to achieve its aims or an acceptable degree of
financial self-sufficiency. An overall assessment of the School requested by the Commission and carried out
by an international group of consultants in 2000 supported this conclusion.

Contrary to initial expectations, the favourable welcome for the new institution in the Arab world has not
been translated into active financial and operational support. The Arab League has actually paid out only
USD 1,7 million of the sum of USD 3 million pledged in 1998. Since the School was originally conceived
as a Euro-Arab project, active Arab institutional and financial participation must be considered
a prerequisite for its future success.

The reorganisation and relaunch of the School are two options currently being studied with a view to
setting it on new and more solid organisational and financial foundations.

Such restructuring requires management of the School and of its finances to be based on a genuine Euro-
Arab partnership. If these conditions are met, the Commission would be able to decide on a contribution
to the School(cid:146)s operating expenditure in a true spirit of partnership.