WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/01 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Terrorist threat in Somalia.
Date: 2001-10-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Afghanistan, Somalia, arms trade, democratisation, humanitarian aid, international sanctions, technical cooperation, terrorism, the EU's international role

26.9.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/3

Since one of the uses of the ERDF is to rehabilitate run-down areas, can the Commission say:

(cid:28) on the basis of what criteria funding was granted for the above project, which includes the demolition

of architectural features protected by the Manises PGOU;

(cid:28) what supervision mechanisms were used to ensure correct allocation of ERDF funding in this

particular case?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999, p. 1.

Supplementary answer
by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 2002)

The Commission reminds the Honourable Member that under the subsidiarity principle both the choice of
the individual projects part-financed by the Structural Funds within each programme and their execution
are an exclusive Member State responsibility. It does however exercise vigilance that, in line with Council
Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural
Funds (1), all projects part-financed by them comply with Community law. Should they not do so it would
withdraw the aid and take steps for recovery of the amount paid.

The information received from the Spanish authorities is that the restoration project to which the
Honourable Member refers is part-financed under the local Operational Programme for the period 2000-
2006 and that its execution is in line with the general redevelopment plan for level II protection.

The project’s primary goal is a harmonious architectural solution for the Los Filtros area that enhances its
visual integration with the adjacent urban area. The solution adopted by the responsible authorities allows
incorporation of the architectural features of the entry portecol, which is in a good state of preservation.
Within the site the primary work is restoration of landscape zones and new planting in keeping with the
pine trees already present.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2002/C 229 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2994/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(29 October 2001)

Subject: Terrorist threat in Somalia

They are recent reports that Somalia, the scene of a tribal war which has now been going on for years and
in which children are deployed in the front line, is now regarded as a rogue State, that is a State which,
because of the presence of governments with links to Islamic fundamentalism, might have contacts with
terrorist organisations,
in particular with bin Laden’s al-Qa’ida. On 5 October the Washington Times
reported that the US intelligence services had uncovered arms trafficking to Somalia organised by members
of the al-Qa’ida network. This situation will exacerbate the humanitarian problems of Somalia, which has
one of the highest rates of infant mortality.

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26.9.2002

Furthermore, the government of President Abdulqassim Salad Hassan is not recognised by the majority of
the Somali people or by the international community and, in view of the serious crisis facing the world as
a result of the tragic events in the United States, can the Commission indicate whether:

1.

2.

it is aware of the situation in Somalia?

it has conducted investigations, using the intelligence services of the Member States, to identify
countries which constitute a terrorist threat (cid:28) of which Somalia is undoubtedly one (cid:28) with a view to
taking the necessary countermeasures?

3. humanitarian aid programmes in favour of Somalia are being implemented?

4.

if so, how effective is this aid and how it is distributed throughout Somali territory?

5. what measures it intends to take to help Somalia return to democratic normality through free
elections leading to the creation of a federal State, given that regions with a considerable degree of
autonomy already exist, such as Somaliland and Puntland, whose moderate populations do not accept
the fundamentalist position of the central government?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

1.
As a result of the prevailing insecurity in Mogadishu, the Commission’s Delegation was forced to
in Nairobi.
close down its offices in 1993 and subsequently set up the ‘Community Somali Unit’
Nevertheless, the Commission is, in general, well aware of the situation in Somalia. As the country’s major
donor, the Commission has been able to collect direct information from the field and is in contact with
major Somali political actors. Furthermore, the Commission benefits from an extensive exchange of
information with the Member States as well as with major donors throughout the SACB (Somali Aid Co-
ordination Body) in Nairobi.

2.
The Union is currently examining a number of issues concerning the implementation of Resolution
1373(2001) of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. The freezing of funds and other financial assets
or economic resources of those engaged in terrorism,
is one of the measures to combat or prevent
terrorism foreseen by that Resolution. In this framework, it will also be decided against which persons,
entities and bodies these measures should be applied.

Meanwhile, the funds of a number of persons and entities suspected of being engaged in terrorism have
been frozen in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 467/2001 prohibiting the export of certain
goods and services to Afghanistan, strengthening the flight ban and extending the freeze of funds and
other financial resources in respect of the Taliban of Afghanistan (1), including those of certain persons,
entities or bodies in Somalia (See in particular Commission Regulation (EC) No 2199/2001 (2)).

A strategic reflection on the role of different countries that are suspected of supporting terrorist groups is
being carried out and may, in due course, lead to the imposition of sanctions against such countries.

Yes. Since 1994 Community co-operation in Somalia represents, on average, € 30 million per

3.
annum.

A mid-term evaluation of the first rehabilitation programme launched in 1994 concluded that the

4.
living conditions of a significant segment of the population have improved tangibly.

A series of successful projects and programmes have been implemented in such key areas as livestock,
agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, etc.

In livestock for instance, 144 veterinary professionals have so far been trained on a country-wide basis, in
order to contribute to improve animal health and to boost livestock exports and further training support is
planned for what is the mainstay of the economy.

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In Southern Somalia, irrigation canals have been rehabilitated, allowing to increase considerably maize,
sorghum and sesame production on over 30 000 hectares, directly benefiting the livelihood of over 10 000
families.

In education, a major secondary education programme in North-eastern and North-western Somalia has
complemented a comprehensive primary education programme, raising enrolment in secondary schools in
those regions, from 1 000 students in 1999 to 3 200 today.

The ‘peace dividend approach’ has been the underlying strategic approach of the Community based
intervention in Somalia. Given the circumstances, the aid flow has been more significant in Somaliland and
Puntland than in the South. Community aid is directly channelled to the beneficiaries, in general through
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and UN agencies and does not directly benefit any political force.

In June 2001 the allocation by region of the current projects and programmes was the following:

Countrywide

Puntland

Somaliland

Somaliland and Puntland

Southern Somalia

(€ million)

18,0

12,4

29,7

6,2

10,5

76,8

Total

5.
The Commission’s initiatives in Somalia aim to restore normal conditions of life and to favour the
emergence of an organised and peaceful society focussed on human, social and economic development. In
this context, the re-establishment of the authority of a democratic State would play a crucial role. The
Commission believes that the fundamental political choices have to be made by the Somali people itself
with a view to implementing a sustainable political solution taking into consideration local and regional
balances. In this sense, a federal State could be a helpful option to re-shape a new Somalia.

The Transitional Government (TG), in place since last year, represents the outcome of the Arta peace
process which was welcomed by the Community and the international Community. However, the Union
and major donors are not ready to recognise the TG as the official Somali government. In fact, not only is
its control over Somalia still rather limited (including in Mogadishu), but its political base also appears
rather narrow, as a significant number of political forces refuse its authority. The Commission favours the
continuation of the national dialogue among moderates of all factions including the TG with a view to
enhancing the peace process. Should a credible peace agreement be achieved, the Community could
envisage providing, as a first step, technical and institutional support to representative bodies of Somali
society, with a view to restoring a peaceful and democratic State.

Nevertheless, the future evolution of Somalia remains to a large extent unpredictable; sound programming
therefore has to be short-term and flexible, allowing for frequent revisions in response to socio-political
changes. Consequently, a detailed commitment forecast covering several years would be unrealistic. At
present the Commission is appraising a new annual work programme focussing on four ‘clusters of
activities’: (i) enhancing good governance; (ii) reduction of widespread vulnerability; (iii) access to social
services; (iv) economic growth and diversification.

(1) OJ L 67, 9.3.2001.
(2) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2199/2001 of 12 November 2001 amending,

for the fourth time, Council
Regulation (EC) No 467/2001 prohibiting the export of certain goods and services to Afghanistan, strengthening
the flight ban and extending the freeze of funds and other financial resources in respect of the Taliban of
Afghanistan and repealing Regulation (EC) No 337/2000, OJ L 295, 13.11.2001.