WRITTEN QUESTION E-3007/02 by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Council. West Papuan self-determination.
Date: 2002-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Indonesia, Irian Jaya, common foreign and security policy, government violence, self-determination

C 155 E/72

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Under Point II.7 of this Resolution the Council calls on the Commission to submit to it, by way of the
Commission’s right of initiative, any proposal needed for achieving the health and safety objectives set out
in the new strategy and in particular those needed to consolidate, simplify and nationalise the existing legal
framework, so that it can be better enforced.

(2003/C 155 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2990/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Measures to reduce fisheries accidents

Paragraph 12 of the EP’s resolution of 5 April 2001 on Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents (1) ‘calls on
the Commission to finance a tender for EU safety equipment manufacturers to design different models of
personal flotation device for fishermen that are capable of being used in the different working conditions
on fishing vessels and with the objective of promoting their use’.

Has the Commission taken any steps in this connection?

Does it not believe that improving safety equipment and making the use of the most appropriate
equipment standard practice would help cut the number of fisheries accidents?

(1) OJ C 21 E, 24.1.2002, p. 359.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Although improving safety equipment and making use of the most suitable equipment standard practice
would be undoubtedly be a big help in reducing the risk and the gravity of accidents at sea, the
Commission’s functions do not extend to financing a tender for safety equipment manufacturers to design
various models of personal flotation device for fishermen.

The Commission has however, in its call for proposals for transnational projects of an innovatory nature in
the fish sector for 2002, invited interested parties to propose projects on ongoing professional training in
safety at sea. The proposals are under examination.

(2003/C 155 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3007/02

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(23 October 2002)

Subject: West Papuan self-determination

The Council should be aware of the fact that the people of West Papua have since 1963 been at the mercy
of the Indonesian military (cid:1) the same military that so brutalised the people of East Timor.

Has the Council committed itself to supporting the international campaign to call on the Secretary-General
of the UN, Kofi Annan, to review the UN-sponsored ‘Act of Free Choice’ so that West Papuans may have a

3.7.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/73

real opportunity to express their view on who should govern them, rather than the sham vote of the late
1960s?

If the Council has not so committed itself, on what basis has it failed to act, and will it do so now?

Reply

(20 February 2003)

1.
The Council has repeatedly underlined the importance of a strong, democratic, united and
prosperous Indonesia, and has consistently and firmly supported the territorial integrity of this country.
The EU has therefore not committed itself to supporting the international campaign to review the status of
Papua.

2.
However, the EU has on several occasions raised its grave concerns over the political, economic, and
human rights situation in Papua with the Indonesian authorities. The EU has urged the Indonesian
government to address swiftly and decisively the numerous problems in this province, to improve the
protection of the human rights and the indigenous culture of the Papuan population, and to promote the
economic and social development of the province. The EU in particular underlined the need to implement
fully the Special Autonomy Law for Papua (SALP) and to investigate human rights violations, including the
assassination of the prominent Papuan leader Theys Eluay, in order to bring the perpetrators of these
violations to justice.

3.
EU Heads of Missions in Jakarta have visited Papua in March 2002, and have held extensive talks
with government officials, NGOs, and religious and tribal leaders in order to assess the situation and to
underline the EU’s strong interest in the political and social evolution in Papua. The EU will continue to
pay close attention to the future evolution in this province, and will,
if necessary, raise the various
problems again with the government of Indonesia.

(2003/C 155 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3008/02

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Foetal bovine welfare

Directive 86/609/EEC (1) regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific
purposes currently excludes ‘foetal or embryonic forms’ from its scope of application. In this context, is the
Commission aware of the practice of collecting foetal bovine serum from unborn bovines during the
slaughter of the pregnant cow, which is then used to set up cell cultures? Can the Commission provide
figures to demonstrate how widespread this practice is within the individual Member States? Will the
Commission consider conducting a full revision of the aforementioned Directive and including foetal and
embryonic forms within the scope of the Directive?

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2002)

The Commission is aware of the practice of collecting foetal bovine serum from unborn bovines during
the slaughter of the pregnant cows.

Foetal bovine serum is a fundamental reagent for the culture of cells and tissue, which is a very common
practice in biology, medicine and toxicology laboratories.