WRITTEN QUESTION No. 955/98 by Gianfranco DELL'ALBA to the Commission. UNDCP programme in Afghanistan
9. 10. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 310/149 Answer given by Mr Mar ·n on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998) The Community as such has no jurisdiction over the matter of debt raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission cannot therefore take direct action to relieve the principal or servicing of Nicaraguaís external debt. The Commission is nevertheless of the opinion that the debt burden borne by that highly impoverished Central American country is excessive. The Commission is of the same view as the Honourable Member: the percentage of its foreign-exchange income that Nicaragua must use to service its debt annually is far too high. In that context, extensive cooperation by the Community in a great variety of fields no doubt has a consistent macroeconomic effect, in that it contributes to balancing the general economic situation of the country. (98/C 310/206) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0955/98 by Gianfranco DellíAlba (ARE) to the Commission (16 March 1998) Subject: UNDCP programme in Afghanistan On 19 February 1998 the European Parliament unanimously adopted a joint resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, which, in addition to reiterating áits strong condemnation of the Taliban regime and its policy of systematic human rights abusesí (paragraph 1), expresses an extremely critical view of the programme which the UNDCP (United Nations Drug Control Programme) intends to carry out in Afghanistan, because of doubts regarding its political expediency and effectiveness and its implications for democracy. The programme provides for the allocation of funding to the Taliban regime to enable it to launch a programme for the phasing out of opium poppy cultivation. In this context the EP claims in recital I that áthe Taliban regime. does not enjoy any international legitimacyí and in recital G that áonly lasting peace in the region will allow the roots of this trade to be tackledí. Consequently, the EP states (in paragraph 8) that it is ádeeply concerned at the agreement concluded by the UNDCP and the Talibaní and ácalls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to examine more closely the practical arrangements for the implementation of this agreementí, going on to ask (in paragraph 9) áfor all aid and cooperation programmes (with the exception of humanitarian aid) to remain suspended until the government in Afghanistan shows respect for the human rights of men and womení. The Vice-President of the Commission Mr Marin said in plenary áwe too undoubtedly share Parliamentís doubts concerning the viability of the large-scale crop conversion programme proposed by the UNDCP, and we do not feel at present that the situation in Afghanistan is right for the introduction of an alternative development programme to combat the cultivation of opium poppiesí. Since the EU and the Member States are among the main contributors to the UNDCP programmes, what response does the Commission intend to make or has it already made to this declaration by the EP? In particular, can the Commission ensure that no specific contribution will be made by the Community towards funding this programme? Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (2 April 1998) The Commission shares the Parliamentís doubts concerning the feasibility of the United Nations drug control (UNDCP) programme in Afghanistan under the present circumstances. In fact, these doubts are also shared by the Member States and therefore the Community has recently approved guidelines for donors who are considering giving assistance to UNDCP projects. According to these guidelines donors will átry to ensure that projects and future programmes aimed at achieving poppy eradication are realistic and workableí and áunderline to UNDCP the importance of responding to donor concerns about its programme, including that its plans should be compatible with the United Nations wider political and aid objectives in Afghanistan, should take account of concerns about human rights and gender. í