WRITTEN QUESTION E-3262/01 by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission. Freedom of the media in Georgia.
Date: 2001-11-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Georgia, communications policy, freedom of the press, television

C 172 E/30

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

The Dutch authorities have notified the Commission that they have plans to construct a ‘Maasvlakte 2’ of
approximately 1 000 hectares west of the present Maasvlakte, which is part of a major development
scheme, called ‘Project Mainport Rotterdam’ (PMR), to enable further development of the Rotterdam port.

The Dutch authorities have informed the Commission that they intend to request an opinion in the sense
of Article 6 (4) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats
and of wild fauna and flora (1) and have also provided the Commission with a number of studies
concerning the impact on Natura 2000 sites and compensation proposals for loss of natural values
expected to occur by the building of the ‘Maasvlakte 2’.

The Commission has received various documents and studies on potential loss of natural values which
may result from the land reclamation component of PMR and on potential alternative nature development
schemes to compensate for these losses from Dutch conservation non-governmental organisations (NGO’s),
academic sources and the national association of fishermen.

The Commission is currently examining the above mentioned scientific and technical documentation.

The Commission will take a position on this matter in the light of the available evidence.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 172 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3262/01

by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission

(23 November 2001)

Subject: Freedom of the media in Georgia

A year ago, the Republic of Georgia’s television channel, ‘Rustavi 2’, broadcast a ’60 Minutes’ programme,
which exposed widespread corruption in the country and pointed an accusing finger at President
Shevardnadze. Since then, the television station claims that it has been subjected to a concerted campaign
of intimidation by state officials, including a string of lawsuits and investigations into alleged financial
irregularities.

Despite this pressure,
Moreover,
independence from the state.

it has reiterated its determination to maintain its current broadcasting policy of

‘Rustavi 2’ has continued to broadcast and still enjoys a large viewing audience.
total

Is the Commission aware of the current difficulties faced by the ‘Rustavi 2’ television channel? Has the
Commission made any representations to the Georgian Government about the importance of free and
independent media in a democratic society?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2001)

The Commission is fully aware of the situation regarding the Georgian television channel
‘Rustavi 2’,
including the links between recent developments at ‘Rustavi 2’ and street demonstrations in Tbilisi that
culminated in a major political crisis in Georgia on 1 November 2001.

The Commission has already expressed to the President of Georgia the need for the new Government to
conduct reforms and to fight effectively against corruption.

Freedom of the press in Georgia was addressed at Ministerial level on the occasion of the Union-Georgia
Cooperation Council that took place in Luxembourg on 30 October 2001.

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/31

to consolidate democratic
The Commission will continue to support Georgia in its commitment
institutions, the rule of law, the respect of human rights and the market economy. Freedom of the press
remains at the very heart of such commitment.

(2002/C 172 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3269/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Controls on anthrax laboratories in Europe

(23 November 2001)

In the United States Iowa State University has destroyed its stocks of anthrax. According to the World
Federation for Culture Collections, a number of European countries apart from the UK, Germany, France
and Italy possess anthrax, namely Turkey, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Switzerland.

In view of the above and bearing in mind the problems caused by the cases of anthrax that have occurred,
will the Commission say:

1. Does it

intend,

in co-operation with the Member States,

to register the laboratories (military,
university, veterinary and pharmaceutical) on the territory of the 15 where bacteria of anthrax and
other diseases, such as smallpox, plague, cholera, diphtheria, tuberculosis, typhus, leprosy, polio, etc.
are kept?

2. What measures does it intend to take to restrict stocks of anthrax in these laboratories and establish

strict controls to protect them?

3. Does it also intend to take the same measures in respect of the EU applicant countries?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

As indicated in its communication to the Council and to the Parliament (1) in response to the European
Council request at Ghent on 19 October 2001, the Commission intends to create a Union-wide capability
for the timely detection and identification of biological and chemical agents that might be used in attacks
and for the rapid and reliable determination and diagnosis of relevant cases. A review of the capacity of
laboratories in the Member States to respond to these challenges will be part of this action, which will be
extended to the Union applicant countries in due course.

(1) COM(2001) 707 final.

(2002/C 172 E/034)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3275/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 November 2001)

Subject: Taxation of used cars purchased within the Community

With reference to question P-0964/01 (1) and Commissioner Bolkestein’s answer, it should be noted that
there has been no reaction from the relevant authorities in the Italian Ministries of Finance and Transport,
even though several reports on the subject have appeared in the Italian media, for example in ‘Il Sole 24
Ore’.

The Ministry of the Economy has still not made a clear and definite statement on the subject. A huge
number of second-hand cars are therefore still being imported without the appropriate VAT being paid.