WRITTEN QUESTION E-3133/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Angola — Falcone.
Date: 2003-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Angola, EU aid, EU relations, Unesco, appointment of staff, arms trade, development aid, diplomatic immunity, diplomatic profession, political morality

C 88 E/130

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3133/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: Angola (cid:1) Falcone

The Angolan Government has appointed Pierre Falcone (cid:1) an alleged arms trafficker currently having
problems with the French judiciary (cid:1) Minister-Counsellor at the Angolan permanent delegation to Unesco,
a move which has been criticised by the Angolan opposition parties and the international press, and about
which Unesco itself has reservations.

It is a source of further concern if it means a deterioration in international understanding about Angola’s
need for foreign aid following the end of a long civil war and the definitive establishment of peace. In
particular it may jeopardise the terms of cooperation with the European Union or delay once again the
political conditions for the preparation and organisation of the long-awaited Donors’ Conference, which
thus thwarting the expectations of the Angolan
was postponed because conditions were not right,
population and preventing speedier reconstruction of the country.

Can the Commission therefore say:

(cid:1) what it thinks about this appointment and whether it has already made any comments or has any to

make;

(cid:1) whether it considers that the appointment affects the credibility of the Angolan authorities in the
outside world; whether it has in any way affected the Community programmes under way with
Angola or whether it has caused or may cause new difficulties in the preparations for the Donors’
Conference;

(cid:1) whether it has taken or plans to take any steps to make the Angolan government aware of its position

and its concerns, if any, about the matters referred to above?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2003)

The appointment of Mr Pierre Falcone as Minister-Counsellor at the Angolan permanent delegation to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco)
is primarily a matter for
consideration at the appropriate diplomatic level. Such an isolated case has to be viewed in the broader
context of Angola’s long path from a country in civil war towards a transparent, participatory and
accountable democracy, but could indeed be detrimental to Angola’s credibility in the outside world.

European Community interventions are part of a long term co-operation strategy with Angola and in
principle not subject to changes due to isolated current affairs. As regards the preparation of the Donors’
Conference, the Commission considers that this incident, objectionable as it is, is unlikely to have adverse
effects, as long as there is progress in dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with a view to
the conclusion of an agreement and the presentation of a credible poverty reduction strategy. These two
elements are considered of paramount importance by the international community for a successful
outcome of the Donors’ Conference.

It is neither the role nor the intention of the Commission to discuss such a particular issue in contacts with
the Angolan government. However, in the context of a political dialogue with Angola under Article 8 of
the Cotonou Agreement, it is to be expected that transparency and good governance issues and thus the
wider context of the case referred to by the Honourable Member, will be discussed. The conclusions of the
Council adopted on 13 October 2003 also emphasise that the Union is prepared to assist the Angolan
Government in its fight against corruption.