WRITTEN QUESTION E-1678/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Angola — child soldiers.
Date: 2003-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Angola, EU aid, EU relations, Unicef, aid policy, child protection, international aid, social rehabilitation

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/39

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2003)

The Commission is aware of the situation regarding the provisions for the teaching of languages and
dialects (other than Turkish) traditionally used by Turkish citizens, as outlined in the Regulation issued by
the Ministry of National Education on 20 September 2002.

The Commission has raised its concerns regarding the limited possibilities for the teaching of languages
and dialects other than Turkish in its regular dialogue with the Turkish authorities. The Commission
considers that the regulatory requirements might constitute an obstacle to the teaching of languages other
than Turkish.

In the recently approved revised Accession Partnership with Turkey, Turkey is asked to ensure cultural
diversity and to guarantee cultural rights for all citizens irrespective of their origin. This includes the need
to ensure effective access to education, radio and television broadcasting in languages other than Turkish
through the implementation of existing measures and the removal of remaining restrictions that impede
this access.

As a Union candidate country, Turkey aims to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria, which include
respect for and the protection of minorities. In this respect, the Commission will continue to monitor the
situation of non-Turkish language teaching in Turkey, which will include an assessment of the regulatory
environment in which such courses are permitted.

(2004/C 88 E/0042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1678/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(19 May 2003)

Subject: Angola (cid:1) ‘child soldiers’

According to recent media reports, the Angolan Government will exempt any children who fought in the
country’s civil war from compulsory military service.

Human Rights Watch claimed a few days ago that the number of children concerned is likely to be around
11 000.

The World Bank has provided USD 30 million in support of projects for such ‘child soldiers’.

The Commission:

(cid:1) does it have information on the probable or approximate number of children who served in the

armies which fought in the Angolan civil war over the last few years;

(cid:1) how does it view the current situation of children as regards demobilisation, family reunification and

population settlement, and measures taken by Angolan institutions with international support;

(cid:1) has it already started to assess the specific case of the recovery, treatment and education of ‘child

soldiers’ both in general and with regard to those who have been orphaned or handicapped;

(cid:1) what action has it taken or does it intend to take in this regard?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2003)

Child soldiers have been used on both sides during the conflict in Angola. While specific figures are not
available, the estimates range between 6 000 (government figures) and 11 000 (Human Rights Watch).

C 88 E/40

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The Commission considers that support to former child soldiers is one of many important post-conflict
challenges that needs to be addressed. The government, with the support of the international community,
must be more active in this matter, although some efforts are being made. Thus, in early March 2003 the
Angolan Government, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) and civil
society partners re-affirmed their policy framework for assisting former child soldiers and separated
children at a round table on the challenges of ‘Child Rights Protection in the Process of Re-Integration’,
organised by the Ministry of Assistance and Social Reinsertion.

Furthermore, one of the objectives of the Angolan Demobilisation and Re-Integration Programme (ADRP)
is indeed to provide tailored assistance to special target groups such as child ex combatants and disabled
ex-combatants. Approximately USD 31 million are foreseen for the support of these special target groups.
The Commission participates in the ADRP through its contribution of EUR 20 million to the Multi-Donor
Trust Fund within the framework of
the Multi-country Demobilisation and Re-Integration Program
(MDRP). The Commission is currently examining a further direct contribution to the ADRP.

On the whole the situation with regard to demobilisation, family re-unification and population settlement
is progressing, albeit with some difficulties. Considerable and sustained effort by the government,
supported by the international community is, however, necessary, to bring this process to a successful
conclusion, which still seems to be quite some time away.

(2004/C 88 E/0043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1693/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 May 2003)

Subject: Underhand method of awarding contracts for reconstruction and management in Iraq to US firms

by the US Army

1.
Is the Commission concerned about the serious implications of the way in which major contracts to
prepare for the reconstruction of Iraq and for the restructuring of Iraq’s economy are being awarded to
American companies by the US Army through the US Army Corps of Engineers or USAid?

2.
Has the Commission noticed that these contracts are being awarded in unusual way, i.e. without
parliamentary scrutiny of the criteria and procedures, without any involvement of the US State Department
and without any possibility of non-American firms submitting tenders, while companies that supported the
US President’s election campaign and whose management is of the same political persuasion appear to
have been put at a strong advantage?

3.
Does the Commission know whether or not the contract for putting out fires in oil wells concluded
with KBR, a subsidiary of the US company Halliburton, whose chief executive officer until 2000 was the
current US Vice-President, also contains a clause saying that the company has the right to run the
infrastructure and distribution of products, which means that it can manage the oil wells and trade the oil?
Until when does this contract run and is it expected to be extended?

Is the United States demanding co-funding from Europe in exchange for the involvement of
4.
European firms? If, exceptionally, the US Army is involving firms from EU Member States, is a distinction
being made between firms from countries that supported US intervention in Iraq and firms from countries
that took the view that the UN Security Council alone could decide on any intervention?

5. What action has the Commission taken so far to secure an equivalent role for non-US firms in the
reconstruction and modernisation of Iraq?

Source: Vrij Nederland newspaper, 3 May 2003 and Metro newspaper, 8 May 2003.