WRITTEN QUESTION P-2469/02 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Kashmir elections.
Date: 2002-08-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, India, Pakistan, election monitoring, fact-finding mission, international issue, regional election

7.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 268 E/9

many prices, especially in the food, clothing and transport sectors, will show a higher than expected rise
during the year in the euro zone countries. In France, for example, prices will have risen by 10 %,
according to the Union Fédérale des Consommateurs (cid:1) Que Choisir (UFC), and in Holland the Central
Bank stated in August that the transition to the euro had doubled the rate of inflation. In this connection a
number of consumer protection organisations in the European Union are organising a ‘shopping boycott’
for 12 September 2002.

Against this background, can the Commission answer the following questions:

(cid:1) What effect is the entry into circulation of the euro estimated to have had on the price index in each

Member State in the euro zone?

(cid:1) If no such information exists, does the Commission not consider it essential that it should?

What impact does it consider the euro has had on inflation in the euro zone?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2451/02 and P-2585/02
given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2002)

According to an analysis carried out by Eurostat and published in July 2002, consumer prices in the euro
zone, as measured by the harmonised consumer price index (HCPI), rose by 1,4 % between the last six
months of 2001 and the first six months of 2002. 1,2 % of this increase is attributable to historical
inflation trends and specific factors not directly linked to the introduction of the euro (weather conditions,
indirect taxes, etc.).

The inflationary impact of the introduction of euro notes and coins is thus limited (not more than 0,2 %),
even it is slightly higher than in previous estimates (not more that 0,16 %). In most Member States, similar
estimates suggesting generally limited effects have been made by national statistical institutions and central
banks.

Nevertheless, abnormal price rises have been observed in some sectors (restaurants and cafés, health
services, small traders, etc.). These increases combined with a tendency to round prices up on certain
everyday consumer products might have contributed to the public’s perception of a higher inflationary
effect than that indicated by official indices for all consumer goods and services.

Overall, inflation has been falling since the start of 2002.

(2003/C 268 E/010)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2469/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 August 2002)

Subject: Kashmir elections

What is the Commission’s view regarding the desirability of independent election observers being sent to
monitor the forthcoming state elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir?

Has the Commission made any representations to the Indian Government about this matter? If so, what
was the response? If not, will it make such representations?

C 268 E/10

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

7.11.2003

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

The Government of India has made a commitment to organise free and fair elections in the state of Jammu
and Kashmir. The Indian Election Commission has established a framework whose objective is to avoid
flaws that have occurred in the past.

In this context it is important to recall the overall situation in which these elections take place: Kashmir
remains at the heart of the India-Pakistan dispute as recent events have clearly shown, and violent incidents
are reported regularly.

The presence of international observers would be valuable and desirable. This issue has been discussed
with the Indian authorities at various occasions and levels. The Government of India has, however,
explained that the Indian law does not permit international observation, but that it would allow the
presence of foreign diplomats in their personal capacity only.

Such an arrangement would not be consistent with the guidelines for EU Observation Missions outlined in
the 2000 Commission Communication on Election Assistance and Observation. The Commission and the
Member States are currently evaluating the advisability of having a presence on this basis.

(2003/C 268 E/011)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2473/02

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(30 August 2002)

Subject: Support for bushmen in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana

Can the Commission confirm, giving details, whether the Botswana Government is using or intends to use
EU development assistance to support the resettlement of Kalahari bushmen, which, as MEPs found, is
happening against their will? Does the Commission accept that this is in contradiction with its own 1998
Working Paper on Indigenous Peoples? Will the Commission review this issue and, in particular, give
positive consideration to providing assistance to support alternative development so that the Kalahari
bushmen may remain on their ancestral lands, if all parties are able to agree?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

The Commission wishes to confirm that it would not agree to any reported Government intention to use
Community development assistance to support the resettlement of Kalahari
‘Bushmen’ (also known as
Basarwa or San peoples) against their will. In fact the Commission has not received any request to this
purpose form the Government of Botswana and is not aware of any such intention of the latter.

The Commission has in its frequent contacts with the Government of Botswana expressed its concern over
the rights of these people and insisted that there must be no coercion or excessive inducement (e.g. for
resettlement) and that the own choice of the indigenous people must be respected.

This position is in conformity with its own Working Paper of May 1998 (1) and the Council’s Resolution of
November 1998 recognising i.a.
the
territories they traditionally inhabit and that they have the right to choose their own development path,
which includes the right to object to proposals in particular in their traditional area.

indigenous peoples’ communal and undeniable ownership of