WRITTEN QUESTION E-3103/01 by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Supply to third countries of equipment which might be used for internal repression.
Date: 2001-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Morocco, Türkiye, export restriction, non-lethal weapon

C 147 E/96

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

(2002/C 147 E/101)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3103/01

by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Supply to third countries of equipment which might be used for internal repression

The Commission has already proposed regulations banning the supply to certain third countries of
equipment which might be used for internal repression. It did so in the case of Indonesia in October 1999,
and the Council adopted this regulation.

Is the Commission minded to propose this type of regulation in the case of other countries which carry
out campaigns of internal repression, for example Turkey, against the Kurdish population, and Morocco,
against the Western Saharan population?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2002)

In the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Commission has proposed restrictions
on the exports of certain non-military equipment which might be used for internal repression, in line with
Common Positions adopted by the Council on the basis of Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union.

In this framework, the Commission and the Member States carefully review the situation of third countries
and will take the measures that are considered necessary to achieve the objectives of the Common Foreign
and Security Policy, where warranted.

Since, up to now, the Council has not adopted any restrictions on arms exports or other economic
sanctions against Turkey and Morocco, any proposal of that order would constitute a major change in EU
policy. The Commission does not, therefore, consider that there are grounds to propose restrictions on the
exports of certain non-military equipment to these countries.

(2002/C 147 E/102)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3105/01

by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Practices of international financial institutions

(13 November 2001)

In several African and Latin American countries loans granted by the IMF and negotiated with local
governments under the ‘Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility’ have imposed various conditions, one of
which being water privatisation. This privatisation of state-owned companies has led to a rise in prices,
making water even less accessible to large sections of the population in these countries.

Is the Commission aware of the dangers and serious repercussions of such practices on the part of
international financial institutions? What proposals will the Commission put forward to remedy them and
to ensure that these loans make a real contribution to reducing poverty in the countries concerned?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2002)

The donor community has been shifting the focus of its aid and policy dialogue in support of country-
owned Poverty Reduction Strategic Papers (PRSPs). The donor community is shifting gradually from the