WRITTEN QUESTION E-2236/01 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Burma.
Date: 2001-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: AIDS, EU aid, Myanmar/Burma, UNO, World Health Organisation, common foreign and security policy, military regime, the EU's international role

C 93 E/84

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

Do the reports to be drawn up by Germany and forwarded to the Commission on the measures to
1.
implement the EU waste directives give any indication of the quantities of used radiator and brake fluid,
and of the actual quantities legally disposed of?

2. Would the failure to provide such information not mean that EU waste legislation, with particular
reference to Article 4 of Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste, was not being properly implemented
by Germany in the absence of any monitoring of garages and service stations? If it does, what does the
Commission intend to do to remedy the situation?

Are there any figures from other Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2001)

Article 4(1) of Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on hazardous waste (1) requires
producers to be subjected to adequate periodical inspections by competent authorities. Article 4(2) of the
same Directive requires producers to keep records including information on waste quantities, types,
treatment operations, means of transport. Such records are to be made available to competent authorities
upon request.

There are no requirements in Directive 91/689/EEC providing that Member States have to communicate
such detailed information to the Commission. By Commission Decision 97/622/EC of 27 May 1997
concerning questionnaires for Member States reports on the implementation of certain Directives in the
waste sector (2), the Commission adopted the questionnaire for Member States reporting under Directive
91/692/EEC. This questionnaire does not require Member States to provide information on quantities of
used radiator and brake fluids which arise, nor on their disposal.

The Commission is currently investigating a complaint whether Germany adequately controls the disposal
of used radiator fluids and in conjunction with this issue if used radiator fluids are disposed of in
accordance with Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste (3) and Directive 91/689/EEC on
hazardous waste.

The Commission does not have figures relating to generation and disposal of used radiator and brake fluids
in other Member States.

The Commission draws the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that Directive 2000/53/EC of
the Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2000, on end of life vehicles (4), to be implemented by
the Member States by 21 April 2002, provides for the compulsory removal and separate collection of
these fluids (Article 6(3) and Annex I).

(1) OJ L 377, 31.12.1991.
(2) OJ L 256, 19.9.1997.
(3) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(4) OJ L 269, 21.10.2000.

(2002/C 93 E/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2236/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(26 July 2001)

Subject: Burma

Given the growing HIV/AIDS catastrophe in Burma, does the Commission have any plans to provide
additional funds to alleviate this crisis?

Is the Commission aware that there would be widespread dismay and consternation if any decision was
taken to channel EC funds through the line ministries of the military junta in Rangoon?

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/85

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 September 2001)

The Commission recently funded an experts’ mission to Burma/Myanmar to assess, in co-operation with
the United Nations/World health organisation (UN/WHO) AIDS programme, the human immunodeficiency
virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection profile in the country. Once the final
report of the mission has been received, the Commission will be in a position to consider how, and to
what extent, it can contribute funding to alleviate the crisis.

The Commission is well aware of the political aspects which may affect the way in which such funds are
channelled. This matter will be discussed in the framework of the Union’s Common Foreign and Security
Policy and any funding decision will be taken in full compliance with the terms of the Union’s Common
Position on Burma/Myanmar (1).

(1) No. 96/635/CFSP, OJ L 287, 8.11.1996.

(2002/C 93 E/104)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2238/01

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(26 July 2001)

Subject: EU relations with Colombia/EU assistance programme to support the peace process

The Commission has been asked in the past to guarantee that EU assistance remains wholly separate from
Plan Colombia. Yet we are concerned that European funds could be channelled through the ‘Fondo de
Inversiones para la Paz’, which is the Plan Colombia fund. Could the Commission explain how the
European funds are channelled and what criteria were established to guarantee transparency and
participation of local people and non-governmental sectors in the design, implementation and monitoring
of the projects?

Further, when will the EU present the first public report to the European Parliament on its six- monthly
appraisal of the peace process, will that report include an independent evaluation of the Colombian
Government’s human rights performance, with particular regard to the measures taken to combat
paramilitarism and its financial supporters?

Several reports show that aerial fumigation through US military aid causes severe human rights violations
such as forced displacement and damage to the health and environment of the people affected. Given its
responsibility to help protect human rights worldwide, how is the EU going to orientate its political
dialogue with the United States on the issue that the Colombian Government does not meet the human
rights conditions required if it is to receive military aid?

With regard to the strengthening of civil society participation, one of the priorities in the EU assistance
package, what mechanisms will be set up to guarantee a fluent dialogue between the Commission and
Council and the Colombian and European non-governmental sector? What will be done to improve the
exchange of information with the non-governmental sector?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2001)

The Commission reiterates its intention to provide assistance to the Colombian peace process, which
should not be confused with so-called Plan Colombia.

The Commission is currently finalising a financial proposal concerning the first programme of the
Community aid package to Colombia. This proposal will be submitted shortly to Member States for
approval. The Commission intends to designate the Agencia Colombiana de Cooperación internacional
(ACCI) as its counterpart, as foreseen in the framework financial agreement signed in December 2000
between the Community and the Colombian Government. The Commission confirms therefore, that it
does not intend to channel the funds through the ‘Fondo de Inversiones para la Paz’.