WRITTEN QUESTION E-0620/02 by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission. Global terrorism: a European response.
Date: 2002-03-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU policy, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, anti-missile defence, ballistic missile, cooperation policy, secret service, terrorism, weapon of mass destruction

6.3.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/15

To enforce the UN Security Council Resolution, the Community adopted Council Regulation (EC) No 467/
2001 of 6 March 2001 prohibiting the export of certain goods and services to Afghanistan, strengthening
the flight ban and extending the freeze of funds and other financial resources in respect of the Taliban of
Afghanistan (1). Subsequently, the Commission adopted Regulation (EC) No 2199/2001 of 12 November
2001 (2) amending Council regulation (EC) No 467/2001 based on the updated UN Security Council list (3)
it also ceased making payments in
where Barakhat organisations,
Somalia through the Barakhat organisation.

inter alia, were listed. Accordingly,

Resolution 1390(2002) amends and continues the financial restrictions of Resolution 1333(2000) and
provides that the sanctions in relation to Afghanistan should be repealed. A Commission proposal to take
the necessary measures was made on 6 March 2002 (4).

5. to 7.
No. The aim is to reinforce the fight against terrorism and more specifically its financing
mechanisms. The financial restrictions imposed by Community Regulations target specific organisations
and persons, not all remittances to Somalia.

Other organisations carrying out remittances from and to Somalia are still operating in the country, such
as Amaala and Dahabshil that have partially filled the void left by Barakhat. Recently, a ‘Union Bank of
Somalia’ was created. Also, a considerable number of smaller remittance organisations have been created
and/or are operating in Somalia on a more local basis. However, some rural Communities, mainly in
Southern Somalia, still experience a lack of sufficient channels to receive remittances from families abroad.

The payment

transaction situation is improving. Nevertheless, normal economic and financial
8.
relations with Somalia depend in the end on Somali political
society’s
determination to re-establish sustainable governance in the country in order to harmoniously participate
in the international Community.

forces’ and Somali civil

(1) OJ L 67, 9.3.2001.
(2) OJ L 295, 13.11.2001.
(3) AFG/163-SC/7206 of 9 November 2001.
(4) COM(2002) 117.

(2003/C 52 E/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0620/02

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(5 March 2002)

Subject: Global terrorism: a European response

The ‘Evil Axis’, as George W. Bush calls it, which runs from Tehran to Baghdad and Pyongyang, could, in
the medium-term, lead to a level of international terrorism that would make the 11 September attacks on
the Twin Towers in New York seem like a bad joke.

Iran apparently has Shahab-3, Shahab-4 and Shahab-5 ballistic missiles at an advanced stage of
construction which have a range of 1300, 2000 and 5500 km respectively.

Iraq is reported to have Al-Hussein and Al-Abbas ballistic missiles with ranges of between 600 and
1 000 km.

North Korea has Nodong-1, Nodong-2, Taepodong-1 and Taepodong-2 ballistic missiles at an advanced
stage of development with ranges of between 1 300 and 6 000 km.

These missiles (cid:1) armed with nuclear, chemical and biological warheads (cid:1) could, within the space of a few
hours, destroy the whole of the Western world, while China would not stand back looking on.

C 52 E/16

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

Although the war against international terrorism has a defence weapon in the shape of the Space Shield
and is fought on battlefields, it is won by secret diplomacy, the latest form of signals intelligence.

(cid:1) How does Europe intend to respond to such scenarios? In particular, does the European Union not
intelligence

intend to create synergies in the intelligence sector between the various national
organisations, using new systems of non-integer digital cryptography?

(cid:1) Are there no plans to establish an advanced European Institute of Intelligence with links to the

scientific and academic community?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for his insights. There are currently no plans of which
the Commission is aware to rise to the challenge outlined.

(2003/C 52 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0624/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 March 2002)

Subject: Reduction of car prices

The Commission recently presented its proposal on opening the market in cars. In order to achieve the
greatest possible consensus,
(and the
organisations concerned) even though there is no formal requirement to do so at the present stage of
drawing up the draft regulation. The ultimate goal is to bring down car prices, encourage competition and
benefit consumers.

intention officially to consult Parliament

it also stated its

However, while the Commission is making such an effort, there are countries such as Greece and Denmark
where car prices remain exceptionally high owing to the special sales tax which is particularly high on
vehicles of over 1800 c.c. Moreover, diesel engines, which are particularly economical (their emissions are
also less harmful than those of petrol engines) are banned in Greek cities, which restricts Greek consumers
to the 1000-1600 c.c. bracket. The purchasing power of Greeks is much less than that of the average
consumer in the other Member States, which means that a much higher percentage of pay is needed to
acquire a car of one’s own in Greece. Finally, the tax system uses the cubic capacity of the engine rather
than its power as its reference point and, therefore, cars using obsolete technology are taxed at the same
rate as hi-tech vehicles.

Is the Commission aware of this situation? Why does Greece appear to have the highest rate of car tax in
the EU? When will this situation change? Is this excessive taxation consistent with the harmonisation
required of a single internal market?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(23 May 2002)

As the Honourable Member is aware, the Commission has indeed adopted a draft Commission Regulation
on the application of Article 81(3) of the EC Treaty to categories of vertical agreements and concerted
practices in the motor vehicle industry (1). The Member of the Commission responsible for Competition
presented the proposal at the Parliament’s Plenary session on 5 February 2002 and at the Parliament’s
Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (EMAC) on 19 February 2002. The objective of the proposal is