WRITTEN QUESTION E-3270/03 by Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR) to the Commission. Progress in Cameroon.
Date: 2003-11-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cameroon, electoral reform, human rights, political situation, presidential election

C 88 E/458

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

1. Will the Commission take vigorous diplomatic action to ensure that the Nairobi Conference is
brought to a successful conclusion and that Somalia is given a federal government to take the necessary
measures to hold democratic elections?

2. Will the Commission take real steps to root out terrorism and isolate those who have, in recent
years, openly or indirectly accepted or protected terrorist groups linked to Al Qaeda which have been
responsible for bomb attacks in Nairobi, Dar-el-Salam and Mombasa?

Can the Commission launch (cid:1) independently or in cooperation with the United Nations (cid:1) a plan of

3.
humanitarian aid for the local population?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2003)

The Commission has been actively supporting the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
peace conference held in Kenya since it started in October 2002. The Commission has provided a
substantial financial contribution to the process (EUR 5,6 million) and is part of the international observer
group attending the Conference.

The Commission has also participated in several Union troika missions, at different levels, aimed at
drawing the attention of key international stakeholders to the Somali situation and urging them to support
the IGAD peace talks.

The legal basis for the European fight against terrorism, a priority policy objective for the Union, is to be
found in the so-called ‘third pillar’, namely in the provisions on police and judicial co-operation in criminal
matters. In this context the Commission has tabled several proposals to facilitate police and judicial co-
operation including a European arrest warrant and a common definition of terrorism. In addition the
Commission, together with Member States, has been playing an active role in the combat against the
funding of terrorism including the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions
1373/2001, freezing of assets, and 1390/2002 on the Taliban sanctions regime.

The Commission further recalls that it strictly abides by the Security Council stipulations regarding the list
established under Resolutions 1267/1999 and 1333/2000 and referring to individuals and organizations
belonging to, or associated with, the Taliban and Al-Qaida including in Somalia.

Despite the difficult situation in Somalia, the Commission has been continuously present in the country
where it plays a central role in the donor community. EUR 25 million in disbursements are foreseen in
2003 in the full continuum ranging from humanitarian aid, to relief, rehabilitation and development. This
will be sustained in the years to come with the implementation of the special aid package to Somalia
which made available EUR 199 million for the period 2002-2007. In addition, the Commission will
including humanitarian aid through its
continue to mobilise funds
Humanitarian Aid Office.

from its own budget

lines,

(2004/C 88 E/0470)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3270/03

by Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 November 2003)

Subject: Progress in Cameroon

In the context of the donors’ meeting on Cameroon scheduled for 29 October 2003, what reports has the
Commission received on progress towards democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Cameroon? In
particular, is the Commission satisfied that the necessary reforms are being implemented to enable a free
and fair Presidential election to be held in October 2004?

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/459

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2003)

In the context of the Commonwealth-sponsored ‘Meeting of Cameroon’s international partners’, which
took place on 31 October 2003 in London, the Commission received the report ‘Strengthening the
Electoral Process in Cameroon’. This report, made by a Commonwealth Team of Experts, underlines the
shortcomings in the organisation of the previous elections in Cameroon and proposes concrete measures
to redress the situation. At the meeting itself the Cameroonian authorities reported on the plans for wide-
ranging reforms in the areas of election management, human rights, the rule of law, decentralisation and
the independence of the judiciary. In concrete terms, the Cameroonian authorities committed to present to
the parliamentary sessions in March 2004 and June 2004 legislation concerning the reform of the National
Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms and the National Electoral Observatory, in order to increase
the independence of these bodies, as well as on decentralisation.

In the area of election management, the Commission regrets that the necessary reforms have not yet begun
to be implemented. The Commission, as well as the other donors present at the meeting in London, urged
the government to speed up the measures to be taken, stressing, the need for (a) a clear and publicly
available calendar of the various processes and procedures leading up to the October 2004 Presidential
election, (b) the elaboration of a new voters’ roll; (c) the adoption of the proposed draft legislation on the
Observatory as early as possible to allow for its application in good time before the election and (d)
ensuring full consultations and transparency on all aspects of the electoral process.

The Commission will follow closely the concrete measures the government takes.

(2004/C 88 E/0471)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3277/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(5 November 2003)

Subject: New relations with Libya

The lifting of the embargo against Libya, imposed as a result of its mistaken support for terrorism, should
present the European Union with the possibility of establishing new relations with that country that reflect,
among other things, the Mediterranean policy that the European Parliament has for several years been
hoping for in its regard.

In this connection:

1. Could the Commission indicate whether it has already taken steps to tailor relations with Libya

towards a Mediterranean policy?

2.

In the context of possible discussions on the economy and trade, does it intend to tackle the issue of
compensation for the assets confiscated from the 20 000 Italians expelled by the Libyan regime in the
past, and for the companies from Italy and other European countries who are still waiting for the
Libyan Government to pay the balance of their fees along with any eventual damages?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 2003)

The lifting of the United Nations sanctions on 12 September 2003 is indeed an important step towards the
reintegration of Libya into the international community. This was a condition for Libya to join the
Barcelona Process, which is the framework of Union relations towards Mediterranean Countries. Libya is
invited to become a full member of the Barcelona Process as soon as it has accepted fully all its ‘acquis’.