WRITTEN QUESTION E-1474/01 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. German chemical weapons in Turkey.
Date: 2001-05-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, Kurdistan question, Türkiye, arms control, chemical weapon, common foreign and security policy, dual-use good, export monitoring, interinstitutional relations (EU)

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/47

On 13 March 2001, the Commission decided to convert the remaining € 60 million of the special cash
facility into direct budgetary aid. This decision intended to implement the conclusions of the General
Affairs Council meeting of 26 February 2001, which called for the Union to make full use of the funds
available under the special cash facility to avoid the economic and institutional collapse in the Palestinian
territories. This intervention should take place in the framework of a concerted international effort (cid:129)
under the auspices of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (cid:129) and subject to the Palestinian commitment to take
measures, inter alia, to fight corruption and increase democratic transparency and good governance. The
Commission and the Palestinian Authority signed the Addendum to the Financing Agreement on the
Special Cash Facility-II transforming the latter into budgetary aid on 31 May 2001.

The above-mentioned assistance is aimed at supporting the austerity budget of the Palestinian Authority by
securing expenditures such as public service salaries, social, educational, health and other core functions of
the Palestinian Authority. The adoption and execution of this austerity are being monitored by the
International Monitory Fund and constitute a pre-condition for the disbursement of the aid. In addition to
including Norway and several Arab countries have also contributed to the
the Union, other donors,
budgetary support.

Furthermore, the disbursement of this budgetary aid is also subject to the adoption by the Palestinian
Authority of a number of measures intended to improve financial management, increase transparency,
fight corruption and ensure the effective implementation of the austerity budget. These measures range
from reforms in the management of the payroll of the Palestinian Authority to the launching of the reform
of the pension system.

(2002/C 40 E/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1474/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(18 May 2001)

Subject: German chemical weapons in Turkey

The answer to question E-0655/01 (1) reveals that Commission Member Chris Patten does not consider:

(a) help from the German Defence Ministry with the construction of a military chemicals laboratory in

Turkey; or

(b)

the German provenance of the mortar heads used by the Turkish army in a chemical weapons attack
on the Kurdish PKK movement on 11 May 1999

as falling within the remit of common foreign and security policy.

He at all events refuses to submit a proposal to the Council, pursuant to Article 22 of the Treaty on
European Union (TEU), in order to:

(a)

(b)

secure information from the German Defence Ministry about
construction of a military chemicals laboratory in Turkey, or to

that Ministry(cid:146)s help with the

secure information from the University of Munich on the German provenance (Buck and Depyfag) of
the mortar heads used by the Turkish army in a chemical weapons attack on the Kurdish PKK
movement on 11 May 1999.

What reasons does the Commission Member advance for refusing to submit proposals to the Council on
the TEU ((cid:146)Any Member State or the
the above questions, as expressly stipulated in Article 22 of
Commission may refer to the Council any question relating to the common foreign and security policy and
may submit proposals to the Council(cid:146)), given that both questions are of exceptional
importance to
common foreign and security policy?

(1) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 231.

C 40 E/48

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2001)

The Commissioner responsible for External Relations did not say,
E-0655/01, that he regarded the questions raised by the Honourable Member as lacking in importance.

in his answer to written question

However, the Commission does not believe that a request for information to the German Defence Ministry
or a German university can properly be dealt with by means of a proposal under Article 22 of the Treaty
on European Union (TEU) envisaging the adoption by the Council, acting unanimously, of a common
position, joint action or other act.

It would refer the Honourable Member once again, therefore, to its earlier reply and would point out that
implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 of 22 June 2000 setting up a Community regime for
the control of exports of dual-use items and technology does not come under the common foreign and
security policy (CFSP) and hence cannot be the subject of a proposal to the Council under Article 22 of the
TEU.

(2002/C 40 E/044)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1478/01

by Rainer Wieland (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 May 2001)

Subject: Racism in the Netherlands

Is the Commission aware that (cid:145)De Buddy(cid:146)s(cid:146) a Dutch church choir which is as well known in the
1.
Netherlands as the Vienna(cid:146)s Boys(cid:146) Choir in German-speaking countries, have recently produced a CD
entitled (cid:145)Do not buy from Austrians(cid:146)?

Is the Commission aware of the historic significance of this title in the light of the last hundred years

2.
of German history?

Does the Commission know whether the Dutch Government is taking any action against this and

3.
other xenophobic manifestations?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

The Commission condemns all forms of racism and xenophobia, including incitement to racial hatred. It
underlines that as part of the fight against racism and xenophobia, it is important to remember the lessons
of the past.

the Council adopted, on 29 June 2000 (1) on a proposal

from the
The Commission recalls that
Commission, directive 2000/43/EC on the promotion of equality between persons irrespective of racial
or ethnic origin. This directive prohibits racial and ethnic discrimination in employment, education, social
protection, social advantages and access to and the supply of goods and services. The Member States have
until 19 July 2003 in which to take the necessary measures to transpose the directive into national law.

The Commission also recalls the Joint Action adopted by the Council on 15 July 1996 concerning action
to combat racism and xenophobia (2). Member States were asked to ensure that a number of racist and
xenophobic behaviours listed in the Joint Action be punishable as criminal offences or, failing that, to
derogate from the principle of double criminality for such behaviours. The Commission considers that it is
time to achieve further progress regarding criminal law measures against racist and xenophobic offences
and it is currently preparing a legislative proposal in this field.