WRITTEN QUESTION E-3495/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council. Colombia — ELN hostages.
Date: 2003-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Colombia, EU national, EU policy, Israel, humanitarian aid, illegal restraint, national liberation movement, tourism

C 84 E/242

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0286)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3468/03

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE),
Phillip Whitehead (PSE), Catherine Stihler (PSE)
and Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Council

(21 November 2003)

Subject: Post-polio syndrome

During two meetings of the Council of the European Union, the 2384th (Health, 15.11.2001, Brussels)
and the 2470th (Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, 2-3.12.2002), the Council took
note of statements made by the Belgian Presidency and the Irish delegation on the need for action at EU
level to provide an adequate response to sufferers of post-polio syndrome (PPS).

Can the Council comment on the kind of action which has already been taken on this matter, more
specifically, on the level of:

1.

2.

information about the incidence of PPS within the EU, its onset, and availability of current research;

treatment available in the Member States for PPS sufferers to rehabilitate them and remedy their
condition.

3. What funds for research and treatment have been made available from the Community budget?

In the absence of any such action hitherto, what is the justification for this lack of follow-up?

Reply

(11 March 2004)

The Honourable Members’ attention is drawn to the fact that the organisation and delivery of health
is not
services and medical care is the Member States’ responsibility and that therefore the Council
competent to comment on any action already taken on post-polio syndrome at the national or regional
levels.

As regards any information on the incidence of post-polio syndrome and funding for research at the
European level, the Honourable Members may wish to address their specific questions on this matter
directly to the Commission, which is responsible for, inter alia, the implementation of the programme of
Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008). The scope of this programme includes
actions and support measures aimed at improving health information and knowledge.

(2004/C 84 E/0287)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3495/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Colombia (cid:1) ELN hostages

In a video recording released by Reuters, the Colombian guerrillas of the Ejército de Liberación National
(ELN) has shown that the seven tourists kidnapped on 12 September whilst visiting Indian ruins are alive.

Three of the seven are citizens of EU Member States (Spain, UK and Germany) and four are Israelis.

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/243

The ELM has agreed to the gradual release of the hostages, following the visit by a Humanitarian Council,
to testify to the difficult living conditions of the inhabitants of Sierra Nevada, but has warned that it will
kill them should the Colombian army attempt to rescue them.

The Council:

(cid:1) Can it confirm that these hostages are alive and in good health?

(cid:1) What approaches has it made or will it make to the ELN or humanitarian organisations with a view to

encouraging their release?

(cid:1) What approaches has it made to the Colombian Government to make it aware of the hostages’

situation, and to protect their lives and ensure their release?

Reply

(11 March 2004)

The Council informs the Honourable Parliamentarian that, at the present time, all the hostages but one
have been released.

The EU expects that the only remaining UK hostage will be released as soon as possible.

(2004/C 84 E/0288)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3499/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Romano Prodi (cid:1) Manifesto

The President of the Commission has written a text entitled ‘Europa: il sogno, le scelte’ explicitly directed
to the Italian centre-left parties, calling on them to unite in a single list for the forthcoming European
elections and act unitedly in the ensuing Parliament.

This initiative produced an immediate reaction from the Italian opposition parties, and comprehensive
criticism from the parties comprising the government majority, having already been repudiated by
representatives of European political groups. Italian political commentators have even stated that the
Commission President was positioning himself as the possible leader of the left in Italy, with a view to the
elections next June.

The Council:

(cid:1) How does it view the initiative taken by the Commission President? Does it believe it to be compatible
with the nature of his duties, as set out in Article 211 et seq. of the EC Treaty? Does it think that
Romano Prodi’s behaviour compromises the impartiality of the Commission’s political guidelines and
its President, and undermines the proper
interventions, which are legally the responsibility of
application of the principles of separation of powers,
interest of the
independence, and general
Community?

(cid:1) Does it not believe that the stability and respectability of the European Institutions has been directly
jeopardised? Does it intend to do anything about this, and with regard to the Commission President,
whose actions can quite simply be viewed as constituting ‘intervention in the internal politics’ of a
Member State?

Reply

(9 March 2004)

The Council has not discussed the issues raised in the Honourable Member’s question, nor has it expressed
any view on them. It is not therefore in a position to respond to the Honourable Member.