WRITTEN QUESTION E-1381/01 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Solution of the Moluccas conflict in Indonesia.
Date: 2001-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Indonesia, Moluccas, civil war, domestic policy, settlement of disputes

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/1

I

(Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

(2002/C 134 E/001)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1381/01

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Solution of the Moluccas conflict in Indonesia

(7 May 2001)

A violent civil war has been raging on the Moluccas in Indonesia since 1998, and has hitherto been
portrayed as a religious conflict. However, at the end of March 2001 the main religious leaders, both
Muslim and Christian, visited the UN and the EU together to explain to them that Christians and Muslims
had lived side by side on the islands for centuries in peace and that this was in reality not a religious but
an internal political conflict, in which the lives of thousands of citizens were being unscrupulously put at
risk and different population groups set at each other’s throats.

The religious leaders have cooperated in drafting a national reconciliation plan,
including a strong
economic and social dimension. To launch this reconciliation programme and put it into practice, external
aid is needed, and the delegation of religious leaders from the Moluccas appealed for such aid to be
provided.

What can the EU do to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Moluccas? Does the EU intend to
give its support to the proposed national reconciliation programme?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2001)

The Commission closely follows events in the archipelago and shares the concerns expressed by the
Honourable Member.

Like the majority of the international community, the Commission considers that the conflict in the
Moluccas is primarily an internal matter for Indonesia, and that it should be addressed first and foremost
by the Indonesian Government as well as by civil society organisations, the religious communities and
other institutions.

Since the beginning of
the conflict, only humanitarian assistance has been permitted from outside
Indonesia. The European Community’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has since 1999 intervened in the
Moluccas, insofar as the precarious security situation has permitted, to ease the humanitarian tragedy, by
providing assistance through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to the victims of the conflict,
including internally displaced persons. A new operation is currently being planned.

C 134 E/2

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

The Commission is aware of initiatives launched by a number of religious leaders to begin a process of
social reconciliation and has had contacts with them on several occasions. The possibility of support for
the longer term social development of the Moluccas and other targeted areas, with the aim of contributing
to an improvement in this difficult situation, will be examined in the context of the Commission’s
preparation of a country assistance strategy for Indonesia.

The Union has taken the opportunity in its political dialogue with Indonesia to voice its concerns, and has
encouraged the Indonesian authorities to continue their efforts to restore security, prevent further violence
and find solutions to regional disputes through dialogue rather than by force (cf. Union Presidency
statements of 28 November 2000 and 8 March 2001).

(2002/C 134 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1418/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Measures to prevent the counterfeiting of euro coins and banknotes

The introduction of the euro is now an imminent prospect and in a few months’ time, when the coins and
banknotes have been issued, they will be distributed and be used from early next year.

What measures are being adopted to prevent forgery and illegal marketing by counterfeiters, in particular
at the delicate stage when old national currencies are being replaced by the new European currency?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(27 September 2001)

Based on a proposal by the Commission the Council adopted on 28 June 2001 a Regulation
(EC 1338/2001), laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (1).

This fundamental tool establishes the procedures for collecting, storing and exchanging information on
counterfeits and specifies the authorities and bodies responsible at national
it requires credit
institutions to withhold and hand over counterfeits; it organises co-operation at national and Community
level, as well as with third countries and international organisations.

level;

Moreover, the Commission has adopted a proposal for a Council Decision establishing a training, exchange
and assistance programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting on 22 May 2001 (2).

A further initiative on the basis of the Treaty on European Union, (involving mainly communication of
information), is intended to supplement the above-mentioned Council Regulation and is an initiative by the
Government of the French Republic with a view to adopting a Council Decision on the protection of the
euro against counterfeiting (3). This Council Decision is to be adopted.

On 29 April 1999 the Council adopted a Decision extending Europol’s terms of reference to deal with
forgery of money and means of payment (4).

On 29 May 2000 a framework Decision was adopted on increasing protection by way of criminal
penalties and other sanctions against counterfeiting in connection with the introduction of the euro (5). It
requires Member States to protect the euro appropriately against counterfeiting by efficient criminal-law
measures, even before the currency is put into circulation on 1 January 2002.