WRITTEN QUESTION E-2912/01 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Cluster bombs.
Date: 2001-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: anti-personnel weapon, arms control, arms limitation, international law, military equipment, weapons' destruction

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/47

Following Pakistan’s decision to side with the international coalition against terrorism, Pakistan has cut its
military relations with the Taliban. However, diplomatic relations continue, and the Taliban still maintain
an Embassy in Islamabad. There are radical Islamic groups based in Pakistan, some of whom sympathise
with the Taliban. The government of President Musharraf has embarked on a programme to strengthen the
law and order situation through an anti-terrorist ordinance and deweaponisation measures.

In order to effectively combat terrorism, the Commission has already taken several concrete measures,
including the proposal for a Council Regulation (1) to freeze funds held by 27 organisations and individuals
suspected of supporting or financing terrorist activities and the preparation of a Commission Regulation to
freeze funds held by individuals identified by the United Nations (UN) sanctions committee in the
framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1267. However, a medium-term
counter terrorism agenda will have to address causes of extremism and radicalisation, which in the case of
Pakistan include the economic crisis, the failure to maintain quality social services and growing poverty.
The Commission aims to address these problems through its support strategy for Pakistan, including the
use of trade measures and external assistance programmes.

(1) COM(2001) 569 final.

(2002/C 160 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2912/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Cluster bombs

Does the Commission have any view on the proposed new international law which will require users of
cluster bombs to clear up unexploded bomblets, and does it support a freeze on the use, manufacture and
export of cluster bombs until such a law is introduced?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2001)

A number of studies on the issue of cluster bombs show that no less then 10 % of delivered cluster
bomblets fail to explode on impact and that the unexploded ones tend to have effects similar to the anti-
personnel landmines (APL); this means that they also are victim-activated and provoke fatal or disabling
injuries as serious as those caused by APL.

The Commission is aware of the particular suffering caused by unexploded cluster bombs years after
conflicts have ended.

The Commission has also taken due note of the proposal submitted by the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC)
the United Nations (UN) Convention on
prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons which may be deemed to be
excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects (CCW) to address the problems caused by cluster
bombs and other ‘explosive remnants of war’ (ERW).

to the upcoming review conference of

At the Review Conference which will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, 11 to 21 December 2001, the Union is
expected to present a common position on the issue of the unexploded remnants of war requesting a
higher level of commitment by the international community. The Union is indeed particularly concerned
by the humanitarian and social problems caused by a variety of un-exploded munitions.

C 160 E/48

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

Union démarches will be carried out in order to accelerate progress in the discussions of this issue within
the group of experts which has been specifically set up.

The Commission will closely follow developments at the CCW review.

On an operational
level, the Commission is providing an indirect but tangible contribution to the
reduction of the threat posed by cluster bombs/unexploded ordnance (CB/UXO) through the legal and
budgetary instrument of the anti-personnel landmines Regulations. Decontamination from landmines often
encompasses de-facto clearance of such ammunition; this has been particularly the case with areas such as
Laos and Kosovo.

The Commission will make sure that the lessons learned in these operations will be used in future
interventions.

(2002/C 160 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2929/01

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 October 2001)

Subject: Answer to Question No E-1569/01 ‘Assessment of the hazards of fireworks materials in the EU’

In its answer to Question E-1569/01 (1), the Commission stresses the importance of question 1. What
practical initiatives does the Commission intend to take, however, to eliminate what it also views as the
existing shortcomings in the application of classifications 1.1 to 1.4 UN/ADR to (temporary) storage
facilities for fireworks materials?

This point of is particular importance since with the adoption of this system under the Seveso II

1.
Directive, the Member States are required to apply it to the relevant facilities.

2.
Question 1 is put to the Commission once more. What possibilities does the Commission see for the
UN/ADR tests to be supplemented by a test whereby the materials would be exposed to fire in an enclosed
environment in order to take account of the fact that most fireworks materials are not only transported in
containers but also stored in them?

The Commission’s answer also stresses the importance of question 2. What initiatives does the

3.
Commission intend to take, however, to eliminate the serious failings that exist?

4. What initiatives does the Commission intend to take to ensure that uniform European criteria are
established for the classification of explosive materials and that uniform rules are laid down for their
application?

5.
Question 2 is also put to the Commission once more. Is it possible for the Commission to require all
the Member States to have the classification of explosive materials monitored before import by means of
tests carried out by laboratories accredited in the Community?

(1) See page 2.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2001)

In order to take account of the fact that a lot of fireworks materials are not only transported but also
stored in containers, the Commission will, in close co-operation with the Member States, examine ways of
eliminating possible shortcomings in the current test procedures and criteria of the United Nations/
European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (UN/ADR)
classification scheme, including a test whereby the materials would be exposed to fire in an enclosed
environment.