WRITTEN QUESTION E-0538/02 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Persecution of Greek-speakers in Turkey.
Date: 2002-02-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, Türkiye, book trade, freedom of expression, legal process, literary profession, public safety, seizure of goods

C 52 E/8

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

(2003/C 52 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0524/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 February 2002)

Subject: The elections in Zambia

Does the Commission consider the recently-held elections in Zambia were carried out in a free and fair
manner?

If not, will it be applying pressure for a re-run of these elections to be held?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2002)

An assessment of Zambia’s recent elections is available in the form of a Final Statement issued on
5 February 2002, by the Union’s Chief Observer, Mr Michael Meadowcroft, and can be found on the
following website: www.eueu-zambia.org.

The Commission takes note of this statement and shares the concerns raised.

It is now for Zambian authorities to restore the full confidence of the electorate by promptly addressing all
the election complaints, and by publishing detailed results by polling station.

law
fundamental
for human rights,
The Commission recalls that respect
constitute essential elements of the Cotonou Agreement.
In accordance with the framework of the
Cotonou Agreement the situation in Zambia will be followed closely, and in particular the follow-up to the
elections on 27 December 2001.

freedoms and the rule of

A court case regarding the official outcome of the presidential elections is expected to begin in Zambia
before the end of this month. President Mwanawasa has publicly declared that he will abide by the court
ruling.

its
The Commission welcomes the fact
democratic system, and pledges support for the peaceful consolidation of Zambia’s emerging democracy.

that Zambia sought co-operation for the consolidation of

(2003/C 52 E/009)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0538/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 February 2002)

Subject: Persecution of Greek-speakers in Turkey

The Turkish press reports that a book by the Turkish author Omer Asan entitled ‘The Civilisation of the
Pontos’ has been seized by the Turkish authorities and the author put on trial. The author, who was
awarded the Ipekci Prize two years ago, gives an account of the language, the culinary traditions and
anecdotes of the 300 Greek-speaking villages of the Pontos. The Turkish police have already seized
thousands of copies of Mr Asan’s book.

There is great apprehension in these villages, which are the remains of the once flourishing Greek
civilisation of the Black Sea region, which was almost completely eradicated after 1922, while those who
stayed (such as the author) belong to the so-called ‘crypto-Christians’ who were compelled to pretend that
they had converted to Islam in order to escape persecution by the Turkish authorities.

What is the Commission’s reaction to this new wave of persecution? How is the seizure of a book by an
award-winning Turkish author compatible with the protection of freedom of expression guaranteed in the
Member States of the Union? In which instances over the last two years has the Commission raised the
question of the repression of freedom of expression in Turkey? In which instances did Turkey remedy the

6.3.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/9

adverse consequences of its actions? Will the Commission guarantee the safety of the population of the
300 Greek-speaking villages of the Pontos, who are justifiably apprehensive given that the Brigadier-
General of Kerasous, Baki Onurlubas, also talks of ‘secret Greek plans for the secession of the Pontos’ and
‘training of guerrillas from the Black Sea in Greece’?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 2002)

The Commission is aware of the case mentioned by the Honourable Member concerning the book of
Mr Asan. According to the information available to the Commission, Mr Asan has been prosecuted by an
Istanbul State Security Court on charges of separatist propaganda. In light of the Copenhagen political
criteria and more specifically freedom of expression, this case is a matter of serious concern.

The Commission has raised the issue of freedom of expression with Turkey on various occasions such as
the Community-Turkey Association Council and Association Committee meetings as well as during
high-level meetings including the visit of the Member of the Commission in charge of Enlargement to
Turkey held on 14/15 February 2002. The Commission’s assessment of freedom of expression in Turkey is
given in the regular reports on Turkey’s progress towards accession. Restrictions in relation to the exercise
of this freedom continue, including the seizure of books and other publications.

Although the Commission understands the concerns of the Honourable Member regarding the safety of the
population in question, it is not in a position to provide the requested guarantees. These can only be
provided by the Turkish authorities themselves.

(2003/C 52 E/010)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0554/02

by Professor Sir Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Aid to developing countries: SHARE India

(20 February 2002)

Does the Commission intend to continue concentrating on food security and rural development in
programmes of assistance to developing countries? Does it agree that microfinance programmes which
is the
help the very poor should be part of European Union development plans? In this context
Commission aware, for example, that SHARE India is a particularly striking example of an effective agency
for poverty reduction?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

Rural Development and Food Security are important areas of intervention for Commission assistance to
developing countries. Co-operation with India in the early days focused largely on these two sectors. Over
the last decade, however, support to the social sectors health and education has become the priority area
for Community development co-operation with India. The Commission agrees that micro-finance
programmes and the development of financial services in general can equally contribute to an important
extent to poverty reduction.

The Commission, in it’s Communication ‘The Development policy of the Community’ (1) gives a priority to
local development and particularly attention to micro-enterprises within private sector development. In
order to set up favourable conditions for micro-enterprises to develop, the Communication focuses on two
particular aspects of support: the development of business services and a sustainable financial system.

Micro-finance activities are therefore incorporated in many of the Community projects in India, as well as
in the other regions of the world, like Africa and Latin America. For more information on the principles