WRITTEN QUESTION E-3734/02 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Aid and the survival of the Caribbean banana industry.
Date: 2002-12-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ACP countries, Stabex, fund (EU), support policy, technical cooperation, tropical fruit, use of aid

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/17

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2003)

The Commission is well aware of reports that freedom of religious expression remains restricted in Laos,
including reports of members of Christian groups being persecuted and/or detained on grounds of their
religious affiliation.

In relation to the particular events mentioned in the question, enquiries with Union and other partners in
Laos have not yielded any reliable confirmation.

However, while the Laotian Constitution stipulates ‘the right and freedom to believe or not to believe in
religion’, the authorities apparently restrict this right in practice, especially to non-Buddhist communities.

The level of tolerance of religious practice also seem to vary between regions. There have been reports of
arrests and detention of religious believers and their spiritual leaders without charges. Some Christians
have also been sentenced for gathering ‘to create social turmoil’. Some reports also mention difficulties for
religious groups seeking to establish new places of worship.

The Commission Delegation in Bangkok, which covers relations with the Lao People’s Democratic
Republic (PDR), together with the diplomatic missions of the Member States, follows this and other
matters relating to human rights in Laos very closely. The Commission has on several occasions
highlighted the need to strengthen respect for civil and political rights, including freedom of religion, in
Laos. The opening of a Community Delegation in Vientiane in 2003 will give additional opportunity to
raise our concerns in this field with the Lao Government.

(2004/C 70 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3734/02

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Aid and the survival of the Caribbean banana industry

(19 December 2002)

In June 2002 the ACP Council of Ministers meeting sent a resolution to the European Parliament, Council
and Commission which drew attention to the fact that the new banana regime had ‘resulted in prices
plummeting to levels which threaten to displace ACP suppliers, most of whom have no alternative
markets’ and were ‘already creating tremendous social and economic dislocation and eroding the
achievements in the fight against poverty’.

This problem results from the implementation of phase 2 of the EU-US Agreement which transfers
100 000 tonnes of quota from ACP (quota C) suppliers to dollar (quota B) suppliers, which effectively
increased the total volume of bananas entering the market by 100 000 tonnes, enabling EU supermarkets
to pursue a highly competitive price policy.

Will the Commission permit the Special Framework of Assistance and Stabex funds to be used more
flexibly to permit aid to be used, temporarily, in part to enable growers to have help in essential inputs
pending the economic benefits from improved productivity?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2003)

The Commission has already discussed the price situation in the banana industry in several meetings with
its African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) partners and addressed their concerns.

C 70 E/18

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

The objectives of the Special Framework of Assistance (SFA), set out in Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC)
No 856/1999 of 22 April 1999 establishing a special
framework of assistance for traditional ACP
suppliers of bananas (1), are improvement of competitiveness and/or support to diversification. So far, no
project was refused on the grounds of its non-eligibility. In parallel with the technical assistance aimed at
modernising the ACP banana industry, projects approved so far have included different forms of aid
targeted at growers, including social support and training programmes. However, direct income support
could not be allowed under the SFA, and therefore if support for inputs took this form, it too would not
be allowed.

As a complement to SFA, Stabex funds are being used, with a great degree of flexibility, to support social
and human development such as housing schemes, pensions, schools, and private initiatives.

The new instrument FLEX, which is included in Envelope B of the Financial Protocol of the Cotonou
Agreement and replaces Stabex, might well constitute a possible source of funds in the future, provided the
banana sector fulfils the requirements foreseen.

(1) OJ L 108, 27.4.1999.

(2004/C 70 E/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3743/02

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Executions of Tibetans in China

Is the Commission aware that on 2 December 2002 a Chinese Court sentenced two Tibetans, Tenzin Delek
Rinpoche and Lobsang Dhondup to death for alleged involvement in a bomb attack?

Is the Commission aware that the evidence on the basis of which this sentence was made is extremely thin
and has been called into doubt?

Is the Commission prepared to act at very short notice in order to bring pressure to bear on the Chinese
authorities to prevent the executions, the first of which is planned to take place on 12 December and the
second within two years?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2003)

The Commission has been informed of the death sentence imposed on the two Tibetans Tenzin Delek
Rinpoche and Lobsang Dhondup on 2 December 2002, on the basis of their alleged involvement in a
bomb attack. The Commission also took note that the proof on which the sentence was based and the way
the trial has been carried out has been contested.

The Union immediately expressed its concern officially to the Chinese authorities within the time limit
allowed by them so as to permit to the two Tibetans sentenced to death to lodge an appeal. Such appeals
have since been lodged (in December 2002).

(2004/C 70 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3746/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(20 December 2002)

Subject: Tibet/China: death sentence on Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche and Lobsang Dhondup

A court in the province of Sichuan in western China has passed death sentences on Tenzin Deleg
Rinpoche, a senior Tibetan monk, and his attendant, Lobsang Dhondup,
following what many
international organisations regard as a completely unfair trial. The Chinese authorities have not released