WRITTEN QUESTION E-2347/01 by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission. Cambodia.
Date: 2001-08-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cambodia, cooperation policy, corruption, democratisation, governance, human rights, the EU's international role

C 93 E/116

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

The Cohesion Fund is used for large scale infrastructure investments in the environment and transport
sector and thus investments in minority and regional languages are unlikely to be eligible.

The purpose of the Structural Funds is to further economic and social cohesion through growth and
employment. While projects that have the sole purpose of promoting minority and regional languages are
not eligible, the Structural Funds can contribute to tourism development and cultural investments. These
could be relevant to regional and minority languages. In the past the Structural Funds have supported, for
example, various measures of economic support specifically for the Gaeltacht area in Ireland, TV
broadcasts on the Union in the Welsh language and infrastructure investments for the University of
Corsica (France).

(2002/C 93 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2347/01

by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 August 2001)

Subject: Cambodia

In what manner do the European Commission’s relations with Cambodia contribute to ending the
systematic corruption in that country and the political repression by the government, in particular as
regards the intimidation of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, several of whose activists were killed over the
last few months?

What policy measures has the Commission developed to enhance the legitimacy of the local elections,
scheduled to take place on 3 February 2002?

Do the audits of EU development projects in Cambodia give an indication that corruption and fraud are
declining, in particular as regards the PRASAC 2 and PRASAC 3 projects?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 2001)

The Commission attaches great importance,
addressing the need for good governance, respect for human rights and the elimination of corruption.

in relations between the Union and Asian countries, to

In all its relations with Cambodia, the Commission, together with Member States, continues to press for
to the
effective implementation of human rights and good governance. These issues are central
Community’s Cooperation Strategy with Cambodia and,
in common with other donors, underpin all
cooperation projects. In its ongoing bilateral contacts with the Cambodian authorities, the Commission
takes every opportunity to emphasise the need to strengthen respect for civil and political rights in
Cambodia and to convey any specific concerns.

On 26 July 2001, the Commission confirmed its readiness to provide support for the local elections in
February 2002, since they constitute a further important step in strengthening democracy in Cambodia.
The Commission will be making available technical assistance to the National Electoral Commission (NEC)
and to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the exact details of which are now being finalised
following an expert mission. The Commission, together with the Member States, is also currently assessing
the possibility of fielding a European Union Observation Mission for the elections. In its contacts in this
respect with the Cambodian authorities, the Commission has stressed the importance of a violence- and
intimidation-free environment before and during the elections as well as an objective,
impartial and
professional attitude of the NEC in the whole process.

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/117

The audits of Union development projects in Cambodia, and in particular the Rehabilitation and Support
Programme for the Agricultural Sector of Cambodia (Prasac) projects, are not intended to assess the overall
situation in the country as regards corruption and fraud. Their remit is limited to determining whether the
project funds have been used correctly, on the basis of effective financial management and control systems.
Many of the projects do however support the application of good governance and sound and efficient
management in the field in which they operate. Furthermore, the auditors have, in the case of the Prasac
projects, detected no instances of fraud or corruption in their execution.

(2002/C 93 E/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2350/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 August 2001)

Subject: JRC in Ispra

In 1999, a dossier prepared by Mr Augusto Fichtner, a former employee of the JRC in Ispra, was submitted
to OLAF, which pointed towards serious irregularities at the Centre pre-1997.

Can the Commission provide details of steps that have been taken to investigate this case? Has the current
or the previous Commission conducted its own investigations into the allegations of corruption and
mismanagement?

Can the Commission confirm whether a senior official at the JRC was also a managing director of various
companies located in northern Italy at this time and, if so, is this in line with the provisions of the Staff
Regulations?

Were contractors of the JRC paid on time, and were the findings of research undertaken on contract by the
JRC divulged at any time to third parties?

Answer given by Mr. Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(26 October 2001)

An administrative enquiry has been conducted within the Joint Research Centre (DG JRC) in order to verify
the allegations brought in the dossier referred to by the Honourable Minister.

Concerning the senior official at the JRC suspected of involvement in unauthorised external activities with
companies located in the north of Italy, the Commission would point out that a disciplinary procedure had
already been opened before the dossier concerning this case was produced. It was shown that the senior
official was in fact involved in such activities. In the course of the disciplinary procedure, the appointing
authority (AIPN) was informed by the Commission’s medical service that, owing to his state of health, the
senior official was unable to attend the hearing provided for by the staff regulations. He died a shortly
afterwards.

As far as the other matters raised are concerned (in his dossier the writer mentions, among other things,
delays in the payment of bills caused by the behaviour of the above-mentioned official), the administrative
enquiry concluded that there was not sufficient evidence for effective action.

The results of the administrative enquiry carried out by the JRC have been communicated to OLAF
(European Antifraud Office). OLAF has announced that an examination of this dossier has not led to the
opening of an enquiry.

(2002/C 93 E/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2351/01

by Marie-Arlette Carlotti (PSE) to the Commission

(3 August 2001)

Subject: Implementation of technical and financial assistance measures for ACP banana producers

In 1999 the European Union adopted a set of technical and financial assistance measures for a period of
ten years (until 2008) in favour of traditional ACP banana suppliers (Council Regulation (EC) 856/1999 (1)
and Commission Regulation (EC) 1609/1999 (2)) to improve their competitiveness and promote their
adjustment to new market conditions which will enter into force in 2006.