WRITTEN QUESTION P-3732/02 by Philip Bradbourn (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Galileo.
Date: 2002-12-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, civil aviation, electromagnetic interference, intelligent transport system, satellite navigation

C 155 E/180

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

(2003/C 155 E/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3679/02

by Alexander Radwan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Busquin: EU should be ‘true space power’ (article in the European Voice, 19 September, page 8 (cid:1)

news)

Over the last 30 years the European Space Agency has been extremely successful in developing the Ariane
launcher and the capabilities to build high-tech satellites giving Europe independent access to space.

In view of this and with reference to the above-mentioned article:

1. What in the Commission’s opinion is missing to make the EU a ‘true space power’?

2. Does the Commission believe that the EU lacks military involvement in space, and should such
involvement come through a military participation in a future ‘EU space policy’ or through a space
chapter in Europe’s defence policy?

3.

Is it correct that the Commission promotes military satellite applications in general or specifically with
EU research funds?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2003)

The Commission takes note of the important questions raised by the Honourable Member. Indeed, the
Commission is finalising a ‘Green paper’ on the future of Space in Europe, to be adopted at the beginning
of 2003. It is expected that the Green Paper will generate a broad discussion amongst all stakeholders
during the first half of 2003, on the options for the future activities in space applications and the
supporting technologies. As a result, this process should identify policies and milestones to reinforce
Europe’s position as a true space power.

in line with the resolution of the
Following this consultation process, the Commission will prepare,
Parliament (1), a White Paper with concrete proposals for actions and milestones to be implemented which
should provide answers to some of the questions raised by the Honourable Member. One of the aspects for
consideration during the consultation is ‘multiple use’ applications, where the same technologies can be
deployed for either civil or security/defence applications.

The Commission does not presently finance any military satellite application with research funds.

(1) Report Alyssandrakis (cid:1) January 2002 (cid:1) Ref: P5 TARPOV (2002) 0015 ‘Europe and Space’ (cid:1) resolution adopted

17.1.2002.

(2003/C 155 E/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3732/02

by Philip Bradbourn (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 December 2002)

Subject: Galileo

Would the Commission confirm that it has received a copy of the recent statement by the Royal Institute
of Navigation which expresses concern as to the risks posed to the ‘Galileo’ satellite system by natural and
man-made interference, such as EMP, and would it provide details of what contingency measures are
proposed in the event of such occurrences to ensure the safety of aircraft and other users of the system
once it is operational?

3.7.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2003)

The Commission can confirm that it has received a copy of the recent statement of the Royal Institute of
Navigation on Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) vulnerability.

The Commission has well taken note of the recommendations of the Report by the US Volpe National
Transportation Research Centre.

From the initial phase, the Galileo design took account of the potential threats. The Galileo security board
is overseeing the Galileo design in a way to accommodate any security or safety concerns.

The system is designed as to minimize the potential vulnerability, notably with the following features:

(cid:1) Galileo will transmit all its services on a variety of different and separated frequencies thus eliminating
most of the concerns expressed in the Volpe report. In this respect, Galileo will be far less vulnerable
than the current single frequency GPS system;

(cid:1) it will offer multi-frequency signals for civilian users much earlier than currently envisaged for Global

positioning system (GPS) thus providing the user with a reliable radionavigation service.

The Commission notes that not only the Galileo system but all navigation and communication systems
using radio wave technology are, in principal, subject to interference and vulnerability. The necessity for
appropriate and adequate alternative systems need to be assessed on a case by case basis by the relevant
user community. It needs to be noted that currently most radionavigation services are being used without
an alternative radio-navigation system. The Commission will assess the necessity of an optimal mix of
radionavigation systems for Europe within the establishment of a European Radionavigation Plan in 2003.

(2003/C 155 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3736/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Subject: The case of Mr Fang Jue

Fang Jue, former vice-chairman of the party’s Planning Committee for the southern province of Fujian and
government official until the mid-nineties, published a long article in the Western press in January 1998
entitled ‘China Needs A New Transformation’ (democrats’ proposals for a framework of reforms). This
article, which bore not only Mr Fang’s signature but those of around 30 high-level officials and party
members, set out a moderate plan for constitutional reform, which would allow a gradual movement
towards a truly democratic system.

On 23 July 1998, Fang Jue was kidnapped by the police. His family only learnt of his whereabouts on
28 September that year. Until 28 July 1999 he remained in a 36 m2 cell with some 25 ordinary prisoners
and no contact with the outside world. Mr Fang was finally sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for
‘illegal business practices’, under the pretext that he had set up a business enterprise without a licence, the
real reason for his incarceration not being cited. Since his sentencing, the Chinese authorities have
subjected him to harsh and humiliating treatment,
including placing him in solitary confinement for
25 days (when the legal limit is a maximum of 15 days) in a cell measuring 2 m2 and with no mattress,
chair, blanket or heating; this was during December 2000 and January 2001, with temperatures as low as
− 17 °C. On top of this, he was not allowed to wash, change his underwear, shave or comb his hair. These
and other forms of ill-treatment were inflicted in order to force him to admit his guilt and ‘reform his way
of thinking’. After his release from this hell on 22 July 2002, Fang Jue was again arrested in Beijing on
20 October, a few days before the opening of the 16th Congress and he has not been seen since
4 November.