WRITTEN QUESTION E-0461/04 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Zimbabwe — EP resolution.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EP resolution, EU relations, Zimbabwe, diplomatic relations, electoral fraud, political situation, presidential election

C 88 E/502

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0513)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0449/04

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Monolithic rock-hewn churches in Lilibela, Ethiopia

(23 February 2004)

The collection of 11th century monolithic rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia are a remarkable and
unique treasure. Sadly, the lack of resources to invest in the preservation of them is leading to a rapid and
incipient decay of these priceless and unique buildings.

Is it true that the EU, in partnership with the UN, made a commitment to invest in the preservation of
these churches in 2000? If so, where has the money been spent, and how much of a budget has been
devoted to this worthy project?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2004)

The Commission has decided to help with the preservation and conservation of the Lalibela churches.
A Financing Agreement for an amount of EUR 9 100 000 was signed in May 2002. The project provides,
mainly, for the erection of new shelters for the churches. These shelters, which will replace the existing
ones, will give improved protection to the churches until a comprehensive conservation programme is
designed and implemented.

This project complements earlier activities financed by the Commission. These activities comprised the
design of the shelters and the recording of cultural treasures.

The Commission has co-operated with the United Nations (UN) on this, notably in the past for the
preparation of the international architectural competition for the design of the shelters.

The implementation of the project can be summarised as follows:

(cid:1) an open international tender was published in July 2002 for the selection of a contractor for the

construction of the shelters. The tender had to be cancelled as no offers were submitted;

(cid:1) the tender will be re-launched following in-depth discussions with the Ethiopian authorities to identify

the reasons for the negative result of the first tender.

(2004/C 88 E/0514)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0461/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Zimbabwe (cid:1) EP resolution

In a letter dated 26 January 2004, the Zimbabwean Embassy and Mission to the EC forwarded its
government’s reply to the EP resolution of 15 January 2004 (P5_TA-PROV(2004)0033), to the Members
of the European Parliament.

The government describes the resolution as straightforward propaganda, poisoned by hypocrisy and
arrogance,
full of wishful thinking and objective falsifications, containing ungrounded, anachronistic,
frivolous and tendentious affirmations; it further accuses the European Parliament of fanning the flames of
division and encouraging confrontation, ignoring the plight of black Zimbabweans and only interested in
the return of
land to the white farmers, and, moreover, accuses various European governments of
operating a strategy to overthrow the Zimbabwean Government.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/503

This reply leaves various questions unanswered, which contain the clear insinuation ‘who, in the end of the
day, sabotaged the Zimbabwean economy? Who is responsible for the difficulties which Zimbabweans are
facing?’.

Is the Commission aware of this reply?

How would it describe it, both in formal and material terms?

What comments does it have on the accusations levelled at the European Parliament and the governments
of the Member States?

Does it intend to reply to the Zimbabwean Government? Has it already done so? In what shape and
through what channels?

Does it remain convinced that the elections in Zimbabwe were neither free nor fair?

How does it rate the credibility of the alleged ‘occurrences’ referred to, and the accusations made against
the European Parliament by the Zimbabwean Government?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2004)

The Commission is aware of the reply mentioned by the Honourable Member as the Embassy of the
Republic of Zimbabwe transmitted to the Commission a copy of its letter to the President of the
Parliament attaching its response to the Parliament’s Resolution on Zimbabwe.

By note verbale of 20 February 2004, the Commission acknowledged receipt without adding any comment
on the content of the Government of Zimbabwe’s response.

The Commission does not share the analysis made by the Zimbabwean authorities.

The Commission has not changed its view on the conduct of the March 2002 presidential elections which
intimidation and the electoral
were considered to be characterised by the systematic use of violence,
manipulation, which led the EU to conclude that the outcome did not fairly reflect the will of the
Zimbabwean people.

The Commission’s critical opinion on the current situation is well known. It is the basis for its recent
proposal, approved by the Council, to extend for a further period of 12 months the measures against
Zimbabwe. Moreover, the Commission has taken every opportunity to convey to the Government of
Zimbabwe its concern at the present state of affairs. The Commission recalls the declarations issued by the
EU related to the stay-away on 3 June 2003, the declaration on Freedom of Press issued on 18 September
2003, the declarations issued on 28 November 2003 and most recently on 10 February 2004 on recent
events in Zimbabwe. These declarations call the Government of Zimbabwe to respect fundamental rights
urging it to engage in active and meaningful dialogue with internal stakeholders on a way forward to solve
the current crisis.

(2004/C 88 E/0515)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0492/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Mozambique (cid:1) possible trafficking in human organs (cid:1) threats to EU citizens

Five ‘Servants of Mary’ missionaries (four EU citizens of Spanish nationality and one Brazilian) who have
been working in the Nampula region for over 30 years have received death threats for having reported the
existence of trafficking in human organs and the deaths of children and young people in that region. The
threats were recently reported in the media.