WRITTEN QUESTION E-1651/01 by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council. Russia's continuing failure to fulfil its promises.
Date: 2001-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Russia, UN resolution, committee of inquiry, common foreign and security policy, human rights

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/73

(2002/C 40 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1650/01

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Nigeria(cid:146)s participation in peacekeeping duties

The US has recently announced its wish to include Nigeria as a member of the peacekeeping mission in
West Africa. In the light of the ongoing human rights abuses by Nigerian security forces, does the Council
believe that this is an appropriate course of action?

Reply

(8 October 2001)

The Council takes the view that by virtue of its political and economic influence, population and size,
Nigeria plays an important international and regional role. Accordingly, a Council Common Position on
Nigeria (1) was adopted on 14 May 2001 stipulating, inter alia, within the framework of its policy on
conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa,
the European Union would support and
encourage strengthened peace-keeping capacities.

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that following problems that have arisen in the past
when Nigeria has taken part in peace-keeping operations in West Africa, re-professionalisation of the
Nigerian army was singled out as being a key area for EU monitoring and support.

(1) OJ L 132, 15.5.2001.

(2002/C 40 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1651/01

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Russia(cid:146)s continuing failure to fulfil its promises

Is the Council aware of Russia(cid:146)s failure to create a National Commission of Inquiry as required by last
year(cid:146)s resolution on Chechnya? What action does it now intend to take to pursue this matter?

Reply

(8 October 2001)

At its 56th session, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) adopted its resolution
number 2000/58. In this, it called upon (cid:145)the Government of the Russian Federation to establish urgently,
according to recognised international standards, a national, broad-based and independent commission of
inquiry to investigate promptly alleged violations of human rights and breaches of
international
humanitarian law committed in the Republic of Chechnya in order to establish the truth and identify
those responsible, with a view to bringing them to justice and preventing impunity.(cid:146)

On 20 February 2001, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report on the
the Russian
situation in the Republic of Chechnya of
Federation provided written communications to the Office of the High Commissioner in contribution to
the preparation of this report. In these, it reported that a National Public Commission for the Investigation
of Human Rights Violations and Observance of Human Rights in the Chechen Republic had been
established, and was presided over by Mr P V Krasheninnikov, a member of the State Duma of the Federal
Assembly of the Russian Federation.

the Russian Federation. The government of

C 40 E/74

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

At its 57th session, the UNCHR adopted its resolution number 2001/24. In this, it noted (cid:145)the establishment
of the National Public Commission on Investigation of Violations and Respect for Human Rights in the
Northern Caucasus (the Krasheninnikov Commission).(cid:146)

It is perhaps worth recalling that it was the EU which presented resolution 2000/58 to the UNCHR. Again,
this year, it was the EU which sponsored resolution 2001/24. Indeed, the EU has spoken out steadfastly
against all attacks on human rights and dignity in Chechnya, whoever may be the authors. Time and again,
the EU has used every available forum to raise this issue at the very highest level with the Russian
authorities. The EU expects that these will live up fully to their commitments. It looks forward to receiving
the first report of the Krasheninnikov Commission, which it helped to bring into existence.

(2002/C 40 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1652/01

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(12 June 2001)

Subject: 2008 Olympic Games

What is the Council(cid:146)s opinion on China(cid:146)s offer to host the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing? Will the
Council encourage Member State governments to seek assurances on major improvements in China(cid:146)s
record on human rights and press freedom, etc. before supporting such a proposal?

Reply

(8 October 2001)

The Council has not discussed China(cid:146)s or other countries(cid:146) candidature to host the Olympic Games in 2008.
The Council has, however,
in the framework of its political dialogue and human rights dialogue with
China, expressed its concern about ongoing human rights violations and has urged the Chinese authorities
to take positive measures to improve the situation on the ground.

(2002/C 40 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1657/01

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Delay in building the Egnatia Highway under the second CSF and its completion under the third

CSF

According to information published concerning the progress of work on the Egnatia Highway,
in the
period up to 1994, 18 % of the work was completed, and between 1994 and mid-2001 20 % was
completed, i.e. a total of only 38 %. As regards Community funding, a total of GRD 1 100 billion will be
provided under the second and third CSFs for construction of the New Egnatia Highway and GRD 300
billion for the construction of perpendicular roads, though that will not complete the project. Moreover,
according to official figures from the contractor, Egnatia Odos A. E., GRD 521 billion, i.e. only 35 % of the
total estimated cost of the project, has been used so far and, therefore, even if the annual take-up rate is as
much as GRD 200 billion, it will take another five years to complete the project, without taking account
of perpendicular roads and any problem areas.

Finally, according to the latest information bulletin from Egnatia A. E.
(March 2001), the project is
scheduled to run through to 2004, whereas the minister responsible stated that the Egnatia Highway was
under development and would be operational much earlier than the end of 2003, i.e. several months
before the opening of the Olympic Games.