WRITTEN QUESTION P-0799/03 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission. The situation of the Kurdish leader Abdulah Ocalan.
Date: 2003-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Kurdistan question, Türkiye, accession criteria, national minority, political situation, prison system, protection of minorities

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/83

The Member States and/or the regions have already financed this type of activities. Therefore, as the actual
community instruments (Rural Development Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 and Community Initiative
Leader+) already cover the possibility of financing measures relating to marketing of tourist activities, the
Commission does not consider it necessary to include a new measure in Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 of May 1999 on support for rural development from the European

Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations.

(2) Commission notice to the member states of 14 April 2000 laying down guidelines for the Community initiative for

rural development (Leader+). OJ C 139, 18.5.2000.

(2004/C 33 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0799/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Subject: The situation of the Kurdish leader Abdulah Ocalan

Can the Commission confirm that Abdulah Ocalan has been in solitary confinement in Turkey since the
present Turkish Government took office?

What steps is the Commission taking to prevent the political situation from deteriorating as far as the
rights of the Kurdish minority are concerned?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of Abdullah Öçalan’s current detention conditions. The Commission took note
that, after a period of around three months of isolation, A. Öçalan received the visit of his brother Mehmet
and of a number of his lawyers on 12 March 2003.

The Commission is monitoring closely Turkey’s compliance with the Accession Partnership priorities,
including the provisions aimed at ensuring cultural diversity and guaranteeing cultural rights for all citizens
irrespective of their origin.

The Commission will give a detailed assessment of Turkey’s compliance with the Copenhagen political
criteria in its forthcoming 2003 Regular Report on Turkey.

(2004/C 33 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0805/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 March 2003)

Subject: Baby feeding and powdered milk in Africa

By means of a relentless propaganda campaign, multinational powdered-milk producers are continuing to
encourage African women to feed their new-born babies on powdered milk instead of breastfeeding them.
Such propaganda goes against the normal rules and is also particularly dangerous, since (1) in many parts
of Africa the water needed in order to dissolve the milk powder is impure and it therefore acts as a disease
carrier; (2) for the duration of the breastfeeding period, new-born babies enjoy immunity from various
diseases;
insistent advertising of powdered milk in very poor countries is of benefit only to
multinational companies and to the wealthy industialised countries which produce such milk.

(3)