WRITTEN QUESTION No. 958/98 by Lucio MANISCO to the Commission. Agricultural funding
11. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 386/63 (98/C 386/081) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0958/98 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 March 1998) Subject: Agricultural funding Can the Commission say what amount of direct and indirect funding is granted to Italian farmersí organizations, the Confederazione specifically the Confederazione Agricoltori Italiani (Federation of Italian Farmers), Coltivatori Diretti (Federation of Owner-Occupiers), and the Confederazione Italiana Coltivatori (Italian Federation of Growers)? What budget headings are used to provide the funding in question, and for what services has payment been made in the current year and the last three years? Have the above three farmersí organizations taken part in specific projects, for instance in the field of vocational training? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998) Direct financing of the Italian farmersí unions: Confederazione Agricoltori Italiani 1997 › Veneto Region SOS Mondo rura programmeí: ECU 102 500 1996 › Study trip: ECU 8 000 Confederazione Coltivatori Diretti 1997 › Seminar › Course for future managers Development of management skillsí: ECU 15 000 1996 › Training for those concerned with equal opportunities in rural areas: ECU 36 711 1996 › Study trip: ECU 8 000 1995 › Study trip: ECU 10 000 Confederazione Italiana Coltivatori: no application These grants were made from budget item B2/514 in 1995 and 1996; this changed to B2/5122 in 1997. This heading concerns training, information and the raising of public awareness of the common agricultural policy. (98/C 386/082) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0959/98 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 March 1998) Subject: Human rights violations in Colombia Colombia is a country plagued by extreme criminal and political violence. There are 30 000 criminal murders a year and 4 000 political assassinations. At least one person is declared ámissingí every day. More than a million internal refugees have been forced to leave their homes in order to flee death threats. On 3 September 1995 the Cartagena police murdered Giacomo Turra, a Union citizen, after subjecting him to protracted torture. In the continuing trial of the officers responsible for the odious crime, the evidence against the accused is being manipulated and dishonestly misrepresented to their advantage. 1. What steps have the Commission and Council taken since the affair was brought to their notice? If they have done nothing so far, why have they ignored a case that so graphically illustrates the need for justice in Colombia and not sent an observer to ascertain that the trial is being properly conducted?