WRITTEN QUESTION P-3803/02 by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission. Catalan television broadcast on fraud against the ESF in Spain.
Date: 2002-12-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Catalonia, EU control, European Social Fund, exchange of information, fraud against the EU, television, vocational training

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Official Journal of the European Union

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27.3.2004

(2004/C 78 E/0010)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3675/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(18 December 2002)

Subject: Europe and Palestinian terrorism

Terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians are occurring with tragic regularity. Only the method changes:
sometimes a suicide bomber on a bus, in a pizzeria or a discotheque, snipers shooting at random, or
breaking into a kibbutz and killing a mother in front of her two children. It is a war of attrition, which
spreads terror using a variety of atrocities. Every now and then a politician or non-aligned intellectual or,
occasionally, a newspaper denounces this barbarity, recognising that it is an expression of opposition to
the resumption of dialogue and a savage fight against the only democracy in that part of the world.
Europe, on the other hand, remains silent and seems to be demonstrating its inability to play a proper role
in trying to establish equilibrium for the future of the Middle East. This inability obviously means that
other powers will help to determine that future.

Does the Commission not consider that true equilibrium is to be found in condemning these atrocities and
recognising that they are inappropriate for the achievement of peace? Since the EU funds the Palestinian
Authority, does it not consider it appropriate to exert strong political pressure on the Authority itself to
make it publicly condemn terrorist action and urge it to take steps to put a stop to the appalling cycle of
terrorist acts? Does the Commission not consider that it is precisely in Europe’s interests to make its
position as an agent of equilibrium credible,
in order to bring about peace and safeguard Israel as a
democracy in the Middle East?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 January 2003)

The Commission has condemned, in the clearest terms, all acts of violence and terrorism, which have led
to such tragic loss of life for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Regarding terror and violence the Union has pointed out the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) responsibilities in
fighting terrorism and will continue to press the Palestinian Authority, as the governing body responsible
for maintaining law and order in the Palestinian territories, to do everything possible to put an end to
terrorism and the armed intifadah, bring to justice perpetrators of criminal acts and dismantle all terrorist
networks. On 20 December 2002, together with its partners in the international Quartet, the Union
condemned the brutal terror attacks carried out by Palestinian extremist organisations. The international
Quartet has called on Arab states to cut off public and private funding and all other forms of support for
groups supporting and engaging in violence and terror.

At the same time, efforts are under way to arrive at a cease-fire that would end all acts of terror against
Israelis,
It is surely worthwhile to pursue all channels of negotiation to end these
horrendous attacks.

locations.

in all

As the European Council has declared on many occasions, a peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict
requires full recognition of the right of Israel to live in peace and safely inside internationally recognised
borders, as well as the creation of a viable, independent and democratic Palestinian state and the end of the
occupation of Palestinian territories.

(2004/C 78 E/0011)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3803/02

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(18 December 2002)

Subject: Catalan television broadcast on fraud against the ESF in Spain

On Sunday, 1 December 2002 at 9.30 p.m., the Catalan television channel TV3 (which belongs to the
regional government of Catalonia) broadcast a programme (Catalan title:
‘30 minuts’) on the subject of
fraud in Spain involving public funds intended for such areas as professional training and retraining
programmes.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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This broadcast used hidden cameras to film conversations involving business persons, trade unionists,
teachers, workers and fictitious ‘trainees’, discussing various types of fraud. The images were located
mostly, but not exclusively, in the Madrid and Catalonia regions of Spain.

The conversations made express mention of European Social Fund programmes, and some of the speakers
suggested means of submitting proposals with a view to obtaining irregular benefits, stating that the
controls in place could be easily circumvented. Reference was even made to OLAF’s vulnerability in this
area.

Is the Commission aware of this television broadcast?

Has it verified the allegations made?

Has it taken, or does it intend to take, any action?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 2003)

The Commission was not aware of the programme mentioned by the Honourable Member which was
broadcast by the Catalan television channel TV3 on fraud in the use of European Social Fund (ESF)
assistance in Spain.

The Commission is therefore going to ask the Spanish authorities (UAFSE) for their comments and for any
other information which will help to properly evaluate the content of this programme.

Once this information has been received, the Commission will examine the potential impact on the ESF
operational programmes.

(2004/C 78 E/0012)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3829/02

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject: Trade agreements between the EU and Mexico and safeguarding human rights

In recent years, there have been numerous political attacks on or kidnappings of individuals in Mexico.
Several of the kidnappings have allegedly been carried out by military personnel. Nevertheless, in ratifying
the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearances of Persons in June 2001, Mexico expressed
reservations about Article IX of that Convention which stresses that military personnel who have been
involved in or have carried out kidnappings must be tried in a civilian court, without enjoying any form of
privilege.

Will the Commission therefore say what bearing compliance with human rights and the above convention
have on trade agreements between the EU and Mexico? How will the Commission ensure that Mexico
complies with various human rights agreements and conventions and implements them at federal, regional
and local level?

The EU should exert pressure on Mexico to remove any mechanism which guarantees impunity to anyone
who violates any other person’s fundamental rights!

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 2003)

The commitment of the Commission to the promotion of human rights forms a central part to all bi-
lateral agreements. The process of safeguarding and ensuring human rights is institutionalised under the
‘democratic clause’ which forms a central part of the Union-Mexico relations governed by the Agreement
on Economic Partnership, Political Co-ordination and Co-operation (Global Agreement), which came into
force on 1 October 2000 and which is founded on three pillars: political, cooperation and trade.