WRITTEN QUESTION E-1912/01 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. The unwillingness of the Indonesian government to condemn human rights violations in the Moluccas.
Date: 2001-06-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Indonesia, Moluccas, human rights, religious group, the EU's international role

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/5

therefore have been eliminated by the time of China’s accession to the WTO. However, the Commission
has negotiated for these products a transition period until 1st January 2005 where the quota will remain in
place (with a 15 % year on year increase). The opening of the Community market will therefore happen
only gradually. The phasing out of the remaining Community quotas vis-à-vis China mirrors the phasing
out of Chinese quotas. Therefore the process should bring benefits to both partners.

An appraisal of the consequences of trade liberalization should include positive as well as negative effects.
Trade contributes to higher investment, growth and jobs in the Community as well as in Portugal: 20 % of
employment in the Community is related to export activities. China’s WTO accession will bring new
opportunities to the Community producers of ceramic products, since in the framework of the accession
China agreed to reduce tariffs on 11 key ceramic products from 24,5-35 % to 10-15 %.

Increased competition can indeed have impacts on particular sectors that may be forced to restructure,
with costs in job losses. This negative aspect can be mitigated by the use of appropriate social policies,
including education, training, research and development, as well as social security safety nets. Though in
this case no particular measure is foreseen at Community level, Portugal is an objective 1 beneficiary of the
Community Regional Policy, which aims at addressing the social and economic renewal of regions
experiencing difficulties.

Moreover if the ceramics industry believes that it is suffering material
injury because of unfair trade
practices from its non-Community competitors, such as dumped or subsidised imports, it may submit a
complaint to the Commission. The Commission will then launch a formal investigation to establish if
remedial action such as trade defence measures is necessary.

Regarding the forthcoming Chinese entry to WTO, a clarification note was distributed by the Commission
and discussed with Member States in the Council’s C.Q. Group on 31 May 2001 in reply to a number of
questions raised by Member States regarding our non-textile quotas (footwear-ceramics-porcelain) vis-à-vis
China. It provides background and relevant information regarding present position and developments as
soon as China enters WTO. It is available on the Commission web site at: http://www.cc.cec:8082/comm/
trade/bilateral/china/cn200601.htm.

(2002/C 147 E/006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1912/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 June 2001)

Subject: The unwillingness of the Indonesian government to condemn human rights violations in the

Moluccas

Moluccan Church leaders have appealed to the Indonesian authorities to evacuate Christians forced to
convert to Islam on the islands, but have so far received no assistance from that quarter. Does the
Commission accept that the Indonesian government has been involved with supplying equipment and
training to the Laskar Jihad group in the Moluccas which has been accused of numerous human rights
violations against Christians in the region. If so, what action does the Commission intend to take to
persuade the Indonesian government to stop cooperating with the Jihad?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concerns regarding the conflict in the Moluccas.
Through its Delegation in Jakarta and other appropriate channels, the Commission continues to gather
information about the situation in the area.

C 147 E/6

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

is clear that

the overall responsibility for resolving the situation lies with the Indonesian
While it
government, it is also clear that the underlying causes for the conflict are not necessarily attributable to the
present government. The Commission is not in a position to confirm whether the government has given
assistance to Laskar Jihad or other groups.

The Commission has consistently offered humanitarian assistance, and is prepared to continue this
support, as well as to consider a suitable intervention to help with rehabilitation and community
reconciliation.

(2002/C 147 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1975/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Legal vacuum concerning the erection of mobile telephone masts

Numerous European consumers’ associations have condemned the legal vacuum that currently exists
concerning the erection of mobile telephone masts, whereby no account is taken of the damage caused to
the urban environment.

As a result of this vacuum, any community is entitled to erect mobile telephone masts on its buildings,
provided that compensation is paid, regardless of the potential environmental and health problems.

Will the Commission explain the Community’s legal position in the matter, and state whether there are
any general Community rules that apply to the erection of mobile telephone masts that would clarify the
confusion that currently surrounds this question and which has been denounced by consumers’
associations across the Union?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

There is no Community legislation harmonising installation rules for mobile telephone masts in order to
ensure that no damage is caused to the urban environment. That doesn’t however mean that a legal
vacuum exists.

Protecting the urban environment is very much a matter for local, regional and Member State authorities.
The procedures in use and criteria applied vary largely across Member States and reflect the diversity of
planning rules and traditions in the Community. They typically include considerations on the need to
protect the environment and town planning rules. European legislation governing telecommunication
services (Directive 97/33/EC (1)) explicitly allows Member States to regulate locally, stipulating that where
facility sharing can be of benefit
for town planning, environmental, economic or other reasons,
arrangements can be imposed.

Where it concerns the safety and health of the citizen, Community regulations and recommendations have
however been adopted in order to ensure that the public is not unduly exposed to electromagnetic waves:

C Community legislation governing radio products (including mobile telephone masts) obliges manu-
facturers to ensure that they are safe. In particular Article 3.1.a of Directive 1999/5/EC on radio
equipment and telecommunications
their
conformity (2) (the R & TTE Directive) obliges manufacturers to ensure, that their products do not
affect the health when used for their intended purpose. Article 7.2 of that same Directive explicitly
enables national authorities to impose restrictions on the use of radio products, e.g. by prescribing
minimum distances from the public, so as to ensure that telephone masts are appropriately installed.

terminal equipment and the mutual

recognition of