WRITTEN QUESTION E-0264/02 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Cases of death, torture and disappearance in Chechnya.
Date: 2002-02-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Russia, civilian victim, common foreign and security policy, diplomatic relations, government violence, international issue, torture

C 205 E/102

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

In April 2000, the Commission launched an infringement procedure against Greece for failure to comply
with Articles 4.1 and 11 of Directive 96/59/EC,
in particular for failing to submit a summary of the
inventory of equipment, a plan for disposal of such equipment and the guidelines for collection and
disposal of non-inventoried equipment.
In the frame of an exchange of correspondence, the Greek
authorities communicated some information to the Commission. However, the latter considered that this
information was not sufficient pursuant to the obligations laid down in the Articles 4.1 and 11 of the
Directive. Therefore, the Commission has decided on the 20 December 2001 to bring the matter before
the Court.

Concerning the implementation of Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on hazardous
waste (1), the Commission has launched since September 1998 an infringement procedure against Greece
for failure to submit the information required under Article 8 (3) on installations carrying out the recovery
or disposal of hazardous waste. The case is already brought before the Court (case C-33/2001).

As for the report on the implementation of the Directive on hazardous waste, pursuant to Council
Directive 91/692/EEC of 23 December 1991 standardizing and rationalizing reports on the implemen-
tation of certain Directives relating to the environment (2), the Greek authorities submitted the reply to the
corresponding questionnaire for the period covering 1998-2000, on 21 November 2001.

(1) OJ L 377, 31.12.1991, p. 20.
(2) OJ L 377, 31.12.1991, p. 48.

(2002/C 205 E/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0262/02

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Council

(8 February 2002)

Subject: The Council

Can the Council reconcile Commissioner Lamy’s view that ‘The Franco-German couple is the matrix for
compromise in the European Union, the forerunner for important compromises’, with the statement made
by the President of the Commission’s spokesman that, ‘In our view, no state is more equal than another’,
and if so, how?

Reply

(21 May 2002)

The Council is not in the habit of commenting on statements made by members of the Commission.

(2002/C 205 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0264/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council

Subject: Cases of death, torture and disappearance in Chechnya

(8 February 2002)

Civil and human rights organisations and groups of mothers of Russian soldiers continue to report cases of
death, torture and disappearance in Chechnya, in a campaign intensified by the Russian army which, since
11 September 2001, seems to have been authorised to crush the movement for the independence of
Chechnya by attacking the civilian population and violating human rights.

What view does the Council take of this behaviour on the part of Russia, a country which considers itself a
friend of the EU States?

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/103

Reply

(21 May 2002)

The EU has taken note with deep concern of reports from the OSCE Assistance Group, the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe, as well as the NGOs ‘Memorial’ and ‘Medecins sans frontieres’. On the
basis of these and other reports, the EU has raised the situation of Chechnya at all recent political dialogue
meetings with Russia and will continue to do so. This should come as no surprise, since the EU has
repeatedly spoken out loud and clear against all violations of human rights as well as against the plight of
the civilian population IDPs and refugees in Chechnya. The EU has consistently adopted a principled stand,
making clear to Russia that for as long as Chechnya is in turmoil, EU will continue to press hard for
change there.

Clearly, the EU condemns all terrorist acts in the strongest terms, it has always been understood that the
fight against terrorism and extremism must be conducted within the framework of the rule of law and full
respect for human rights. Indiscriminate use of force only threatens to sow a whirlwind to be reaped for
many years to come.

The Council believes that there is growing recognition of this in Russia. Indeed, some steps have been
taken in the right direction, albeit belatedly and not going far enough. The EU notably welcomed
statements by President Putin that members of the Russian armed forces responsible for human rights
violations will be tried and sentenced. The EU looks to the Russian authorities to follow this commitment,
and to prevent any future human rights violations.

Ultimately, the EU is convinced that only a political solution can solve the Chechen conflict. That is why it
is the firm and considered conviction of the Council that engagement is the best path by which the EU
may work to improve the situation in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation. It is the very fact of
the Union’s strategic partnership with Russia which allows for full and frank discussion of these issues.

A Troika visit of EU Heads of Mission in Moscow is planned for the coming months. This will be an
important chance for the EU to form its own assessment of situation.

(2002/C 205 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0276/02

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 February 2002)

Subject: Discharge of toxic substances at a Greek Electricity Board (DEI) plant and the threat to public

health

An accident at a DEI plant at Kozani has resulted in chemical gases belonging to the category of toxic
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) which includes clophen being released into the atmosphere. This accident
was covered up by the DEI, and no scientific institute was therefore notified or asked to check for
environmental pollution resulting for the combustion of the toxic fluid; furthermore, no medical personnel
were asked to examine the workers involved.

Given that the replacement of condenser fluids by less hazardous substances has been an issue since 1991
and that the dioxins produced when clophen is burned are carcinogenic, will the Commission say:

1. What measures does it intend to take to protect public health, given the consequences of the above
accident, both for workers and for inhabitants of the region who were not informed or subjected to
medical examinations in good time?