WRITTEN QUESTION P-3349/01 by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Council. 'Enduring Freedom'.
Date: 2001-11-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Iraq, diplomatic relations, humanitarian aid, international sanctions, peacekeeping, the EU's international role, war

C 147 E/158

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

In its answer to my Written Question E-1272/00 (2) of 19 April 2000, the Commission indicated that it
was considering an amendment to the Directive whereby, within the limits of road safety requirements,
provision might be made for the possibility of less stringent health criteria being applied at national level
to professional drivers who had obtained their driving licences before the Directive entered into force.

it

I should be grateful if the Commission would indicate if it has already taken a decision on this matter and
when we may expect
for the amendment of the Directive. Does not the
Commission feel that the visual acuity requirements set out in Directive 91/439/EEC are disproportionate
for the attainment of the established objective? May I once again urge the Commission to do something to
tackle the dramatic consequences arising from the application of that Directive in a majority of the
Member States of the EU?

to submit a proposal

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 53 E, 20.2.2001, p. 118.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2002)

The Commission is aware of the problem of lack of acquired rights for professional drivers who obtained
their licences before the entry into force of this Directive. However, the Commission has not yet adopted
any draft directive to amend Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences (1).

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.

(2002/C 147 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3342/01

by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Council

(3 December 2001)

Subject: Belgian Presidency meeting of EU Ministers for children

I was pleased to learn that the Belgian Presidency had convened a meeting of EU Ministers for children on
Friday 9 November. Can you report on the outcome of this meeting and plans for follow-up?

Reply

(1 March 2002)

The Council, as a Community institution, has no competence as regards an informal meeting organised
under the sole responsibility of the Belgian Presidency. The Honourable Member is therefore advised to
contact the Ministry of Child Welfare, with responsibility for Primary Education, Childcare and the Role of
the National Child Welfare Agency of the French Community of Belgium, under the aegis of which this
informal European meeting of Ministers with responsibility for children was organised.

(2002/C 147 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3349/01

by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Council

(28 November 2001)

Subject:

’Enduring Freedom’

The war against Afghanistan, conducted by the USA and the coalition of states against terrorism in
response to the criminal acts perpetrated on 11 September 2001 in New York and Washington, seems to
have achieved significant objectives.

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/159

Leading newspapers are now describing as imminent and inevitable a military attack by the USA on Iraq, a
country already hard hit by the embargo and the previous conflict in the Gulf region, in the course of
which shortages of food and medicines resulted in thousands of children dying every day.

Our resolute condemnation of all forms of terrorism goes hand in hand with the acknowledgement that
this battle must be fought to the bitter end in order to eradicate blind, barbaric fanaticism. However, a
military response on its own is inadequate if not combined with diplomatic and intelligence measures.

Can the Council state:

C what practical measures it

the conflict spreading to Iraq and what
countermeasures it plans to adopt in order to ensure that defenceless population groups are not the
only victims of the fight against terrorism;

intends to take to prevent

C whether it sees a need to launch a determined, bold diplomatic campaign so that the embargo, which
no longer applies to Pakistan and India, can also be lifted in the case of Iraq in return for appropriate
concessions in connection with the fight against terrorism.

Reply

(18 March 2002)

The European Council of Ghent confirmed the EU’s support for the military operations in Afghanistan
which began on 7 October 2001 and which are legitimate under the terms of the United Nations Charter
and of Resolution 1368 of the United Nations Security Council. To date, there is no evidence of a direct
link between the attacks of 11 September and the Iraqi authorities.

The European Council of Laeken on 14-15 December 2001 confirmed the EU’s commitment to the efforts
of the international community with a view to restoring stability in Afghanistan on the basis of the
outcome of the Bonn Conference and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. With regard to
the situation of civilian populations, the European Council also confirmed that the urgent needs of the
Afghan people mean that humanitarian aid continues to be an absolute priority. The EU and the Member
States will make available, along with other donors, all the humanitarian aid necessary to cover the needs
of the Afghan population and Afghan refugees. The EU will also help the Afghan people and its new
leaders rebuild the country and encourage as swift a return to democracy as possible.

With regard to sanctions on Iraq, the EU remains committed to the full implementation of all UN Security
Council Resolutions pertaining to Iraq.
In particular, the EU calls for the implementation of all the
provisions of Resolutions 687 and 1 284, which specify the obligations of Iraq in several areas including
weapons of mass destruction, and the way to suspension and lifting of the prohibitions imposed by the
Council.

There can be no doubt that the key to suspension and lifting of sanctions rests in the hands of the
Government of Iraq. The EU regrets that, as a result of Iraq’s failure to fulfil its international obligations,
the conditions do not exist which would enable the Council to lift the prohibitions imposed under
Resolution 687. The EU has urged Iraq to comply with its obligations as provided for in the relevant
Security Council Resolutions.

The EU has strong sympathy for the fate of the Iraqi population and remains the largest contributor of
humanitarian aid and assistance to Iraq. The EU strongly supports the ongoing deliberations within the
Security Council with the purpose of alleviating the predicament of the Iraqi civilian population.

(2002/C 147 E/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3356/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Aid to Greece from the European Refugee Fund

(6 December 2001)

The European Refugee Fund was established by Council Decision 2000/596/EC (1) of 28 September 2000,
with funding of EUR 216 million. Under the provisions of the decision, each Member State is entitled to