WRITTEN QUESTION E-1515/01 by John Purvis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Intra-communal strife in the Moluccas province, Indonesia.
Date: 2001-05-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Moluccas, aid policy, civil defence, common foreign and security policy, religious conflict

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Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

Funding of the project will not be granted before all ethical questions has been satisfactory answered. All
participants engaged themselves contractually to fulfil all national legal and ethical requirements.

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.
(2) 1999/167/EC: Council Decision of 25 January 1999 adopting a specific programme for research, technological
development and demonstration on quality of life and management of living resources (1998 to 2002) (OJ L 64,
12.3.1999).

(2002/C 40 E/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1515/01

by John Purvis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Intra-communal strife in the Moluccas province, Indonesia

Could the Commission provide an assessment of the extent of deaths, injuries and displacements suffered
by the Christian and Muslim people of the Moluccas in the current civil strife? Is it satisfied that the
Indonesian government is doing everything possible to return the province to normalcy so that the people
can return to their homes without fear of attack? Would the Commission be prepared to provide an
investigative team to report on the causes of the strife, if invited to do so by the Indonesian government?
What provision is being or can be made by the European Union to assist with an effective recovery
programme in the Moluccas?

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.

It is virtually impossible to assess the extent of violence in the Moluccas, as any verification of sources,
injuries and
however credible,
displacements are in excess of the level seen in East Timor. The population of the Moluccas is suffering
very heavily from the present situation.

is difficult. It would, however, be safe to assume that the loss of life,

Like the majority of the international community, the Commission considers that the conflict in the
Moluccas is primarily an internal matter of 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. A number of religious leaders have begun a process of social reconciliation.

From the outset of the conflict, only humanitarian assistance has been permitted from outside Indonesia.
Since 1999, the European Community(cid:146)s Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has intervened in the Moluccas,
insofar as the precarious security situation has permitted, to ease the humanitarian tragedy, by providing
including
assistance through non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
internally displaced persons. A new operation is currently being planned.

to the victims of

the conflict,

The Commission has not been asked by the Indonesian Government to provide an investigative team to
report on the causes of the conflict. However, the Commission has participated in two fact-finding
missions (in late 2000 and early 2001) to the area.

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(cid:146)s preparation of a country assistance strategy for Indonesia.

14.2.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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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 40 E/047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1537/01

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Council

(7 June 2001)

Subject: Kosovar Albanian prisoners in Serbia

While the recent partial release of Kosovar Albanian prisoners in Serbia is very welcome, does the Council
agree that this serves to deflect attention from the urgency of releasing all the remaining prisoners, some
of whom are very ill? In particular does the Council have any information on Skender Ferizi, Besim
Zymberi and Bedri Kukalai, in prison since the Dubrava massacre in Kosovo in May 1999?

Reply

(8 October 2001)

The Council has always taken a close interest in Kosovar prisoners in Serbia. The amnesty law passed
earlier this year was a direct result of pressure from the EU and more generally from the international
community. The subsequent release of a sizeable number of political prisoners and, in April, of all 145
Kosovo Albanian detainees of the so-called (cid:145)Djakovica group(cid:146) were publicly welcomed by the Council. This
was not a means to (cid:145)deflect attention from urgency of releasing other prisoners(cid:146), but rather real progress in
the consolidation of democracy and human rights in Serbia. According to the International Red Cross
(which, after agreement with the Belgrade authorities, is in charge of assisting detainees in Serb prisons)
some 273 people of Kosovar origin are still detained (number is decreasing day by day due to the
implementation of the amnesty). About 60 of these can be considered (cid:145)political prisoners(cid:146). The rest are
charged with criminal offences.

According the ICRC, the three detainees mentioned by the Honourable Member, are regularly visited by
them (and their doctors) and appear to be receiving appropriate medical treatment in prison. Only one of
them (Bedri Kukalai) needs, and is receiving, specialist medical attention. Like the other prisoners, they are
permitted to write regularly to their families through the Red Cross.

(2002/C 40 E/048)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1539/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 May 2001)

Subject: Implications of the growing demand for coltan used in mobile telephones for the continuation of

the civil war in Congo-Kinshasa

1.
Coltan is a metal which is used in electronic equipment including mobile telephones, pagers and
computers as well as aircraft turbines, surgical instruments and chemical processing plant. 70 % of the
world(cid:146)s coltan reserves are thought
Is the
Commission acquainted with the report published in the New Scientist of 7 April 2001 concerning the
link between the extraction of colombo tantalite (coltan) extraction and the continuing civil war in Congo?

to be found in the African country of Congo-Kinshasa.