WRITTEN QUESTION E-1630/02 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Arson attack on church in Germany.
Date: 2002-06-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Türkiye, extremism, religious discrimination, religious fundamentalism, terrorism

C 137 E/16

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

12.6.2003

(2003/C 137 E/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1630/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Arson attack on church in Germany

(10 June 2002)

According to an Associated Press despatch from Germany, a Catholic church in the German town of
Kassel was set on fire and desecrated by members of the Turkish nationalist organisation the ‘Grey Wolves’.
The German police reported that slogans supporting the organisation had been found written on the walls
of the church, while the entrance to the church had been destroyed by the fire.

The ‘Grey Wolves’ are one of a number of extreme nationalist organisations which frequently carry out
attacks on monuments belonging to any Christian denomination, as evidenced by the bomb attack six
years ago on the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul and the desecration of the Orthodox cemetery at
Varoukli in Istanbul, both of which were attributed to members of the organisation by the Turkish police.
Furthermore, the Republic of Cyprus has officially and repeatedly stated that, in August 1996, members of
the ‘Grey Wolves’ organisation beat to death the Cypriot national, Tassos Isaak, in the buffer zone in
Cyprus while he was demonstrating in favour of the peaceful reunification of the island. The ‘Grey Wolves’
are, in fact, the youth wing of the ‘Nationalist Action Party’ headed by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister,
Devlet Bahçeli.

In the context of the Commission’s regular talks with Turkish officials, when did it last raise the subject of
the immediate cessation of terrorist attacks by this organisation on monuments, symbols and other states’
nationals? What specific commitments did the Turkish officials give regarding the cessation of the activities
of this extremist terror organisation? Is there any information linking this nationalist organisation with
cells of the Al Qa’ida terrorist network?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2002)

The Commission condemns all forms of violence and terrorism, regardless of the motivation of those
involved.

The Commission is aware of the attack to which the Honourable Member refers, and is closely following
developments connected with it. The matter is currently under investigation by the German authorities,
and, pending the outcome of this investigation, the Commission would refrain from comment.

The fight against terrorism, and against violence in general, is frequently addressed in the course of the
regular political dialogue between the Union and Turkey.

(2003/C 137 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1636/02

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(10 June 2002)

Subject: Democracy in Singapore

Is the Commission aware of the case involving Dr Chee Soon Juan, head of the Singapore Democratic
Party and leader of the opposition to Singapore’s ruling party?

Can the Commission confirm that Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Goh
Chok Tong are suing him for questioning the Government during elections in November 2001 about an
alleged secret USD 10 billion loan that was made by Singapore to the former Suharto regime in Indonesia
in 1997?

Is it true that the High Court rejected his application to have Australian lawyer William Henric Nicholas
defend him against the charges?

Does the Commission agree that, in a democratic society, political allegations should be rebuffed through
democratic debate rather than in court cases?