WRITTEN QUESTION E-1496/01 by Raimon Obiols i Germà (PSE) to the Council. Troika visit to Algeria.
Date: 2001-05-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Western Sahara, establishment of peace, humanitarian aid, the EU's international role, war

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/31

Reply

(21 November 2001)

Regarding the situation described by the Honourable Member, the Council would point out that the
Member States are responsible for enforcing Community and national rules on the use of animal meal and
for punishing breaches of those rules in accordance with national law.

That said, the Council had problems of control very much in mind when it decided temporarily to ban the
use of animal meal in animal feed.

Regarding cooperation between animal health inspectorates, the Council would point out that such
cooperation is governed by Directive 89/608/EEC of 29 November 1989 (1). [(cid:133)]

A proposal to strengthen Community legislation on official inspections of animal feed (Directive 95/53/EC)
was submitted by the Commission and its adoption is imminent.

Nevertheless, cooperation between different inspectorates within an individual Member State is the sole
responsibility of that State.

(1) OJ L 351, 2.12.1989.

(2002/C 81 E/039)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1496/01

by Raimon Obiols i Germ(cid:224) (PSE) to the Council

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Troika visit to Algeria

During the visit to Algeria by the President of the Council of the EU, Mrs Anna Lindh, and the High
Representative Mr Javier Solana, one of the subjects discussed in talks with the Algerian authorities was the
situation in Western Sahara.

It is no secret that implementation of the peace process in Western Sahara, consisting in the holding of a
referendum, is encountering considerable difficulties, which have led to a virtual standstill. Aware of this
situation, the UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan stated, in his report to the Security Council in February
2001, that he had asked the Moroccan authorities for a set of proposals on opening political negotiations
between the two sides in order to break the deadlock. This will mean the opening of a new phase and a
new opportunity, in which the EU should not shirk its responsibilities or fail to exert its influence.

In this situation, is the Council aware of its capacity to influence the two sides and help to overcome an
is threatening a
in addition to causing great suffering to the population concerned,
impasse which,
resumption of violence and increasing tension in the Maghreb?

Does the Council consider that the EU should develop an active role to assist a peaceful settlement of the
Western Sahara question?

In the light of the latest meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Arab Maghreb Union held recently in
Algiers, and the subsequent statements by those responsible for the EU(cid:146)s Euro-Mediterranean policy aimed
at boosting the processes of sub-regionalisation and South-South cooperation, does the Council consider
that the necessary development of an open market in the Maghreb is feasible without the prior agreement
of the two sides regarding the dispute over Western Sahara?

Reply

(26 November 2001)

The Western Sahara conflict is clearly bad for political and economic integration in the Arab Maghreb
Union. Nonetheless, the United Nations Secretary General considered in his latest report that (cid:145)substantial

C 81 E/32

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

progress has been made(cid:146) towards determining whether Morocco is prepared to offer or support some
devolution of authority for Western Sahara that is (cid:145)genuine, substantial and in keeping with international
law.(cid:146) On this basis the United Nation Security Council prolonged the mandate for MINURSO until
30 November 2001 in order to provide more time for the Personal Envoy of the Secretary General,
Mr James Baker, to consult further with the parties, either separately or at a meeting of the parties.

The Council fully supports UN efforts. The EU stands ready to offer its good services and to assist with any
peaceful solution. The Presidency is in contact with Mr Baker to this end.

With regard to the humanitarian consequences of the conflict, the EU is by far the largest donor of
humanitarian assistance to the Western Saharan refugees in the Tindouf camps. Financial support from
ECHO amounts to € 21 million in 1999/2001. In addition, € 3,7 million has been committed recently to
improve the food situation in the camps.

The Council welcomes the new efforts at the recent AMU Ministerial meeting to relaunch Maghreb co-
operation at various levels. It noted that Algeria and Morocco agreed to deal with the Western Sahara issue
in the framework of the United Nations and not as a bilateral issue.

(2002/C 81 E/040)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1500/01

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

Subject: Hunger strike by prisoners in Turkey

(21 May 2001)

Political prisoners held in Turkish jails have been on hunger strike for 180 days in protest at the Turkish
Government(cid:146)s plans to introduce new, type-F cells, which will totally isolate the political prisoners.

To date, 20 individuals have lost their lives, but in spite of this the Turkish Government has not changed
its position.

How many more lives must be lost before the Council decides to take effective measures against this
country which is seeking accession to the European Union?

I would also point out that my written question to the Council, No 4111/00 of 18 December 2000, with
exactly the same content as the above, remains unanswered to date, whereas according to Parliament(cid:146)s
current Rules of Procedure,
it should have been answered within six
weeks.

in particular Rule 44(6) thereof,

I have ascertained from inquiries within Parliament that despite repeated (three) reminders, the Council has
not seen fit to reply.

Such conduct is an affront to Parliament(cid:146)s work, flagrantly compromises the Council, creates serious
misgivings about its objectiveness, and prompts the thought that there is also a problem with democracy
elsewhere apart from in Turkey.

Does the Council think that Parliament has no role to play and, if so, would it not be more honest to say
so and thereby avoid pointless correspondence?

Reply

(21 November 2001)

Regarding the question of delay in issuing the answer of the Council to the questions raised by the
Honourable Members, the Council recalls the answer it has already given, in particular on the occasion of
questions E-1299/00, E-1300/00, P-1541/00.