WRITTEN QUESTION No. 353/98 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Council. National emblems on euro banknotes
22. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 196/125 Answer (30 April 1998) The Council would be happy to support international efforts to re-activate the United Nations International Commission. The United States has proposed enlarging the mandate of that Commission, including a reference to Burundi, and has discussed elements for a draft Security Council resolution with representatives of African countries at the UN. However, no text has yet been proposed. No proposals have been made to deploy UN or OAU observers to key airstrips and border crossings in the region. The Council would, however, give careful consideration to any such proposal. (98/C 196/175) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0353/98 by Carmen D ·ez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Council (6 February 1998) Subject: National emblems on euro banknotes Given that the introduction of a single currency is an essential stage in the process of European integration, has the Council taken a decision on whether national emblems should appear on one of the sides of banknotes? Would it not agree that, in addition to being contrary to the idea of a union, such emblems could be a source of unwanted confusion? Answer (7 April 1998) In accordance with the distribution of powers laid down in the Treaty the European Central Bank will have the exclusive right to authorize the issue of banknotes in euro, and to take decisions regarding their design (Article 105a of the Treaty and Article 16 of the Protocol on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank). It will therefore be for the European Central Bank, once it has been established, to take the final decisions on this matter. (98/C 196/176) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0500/98 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARE) to the Council (17 February 1998) Subject: Embargo on the supply of arms to Burundi In its resolution of 18 December 1997, and on the recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur for Burundi, the European Parliament called for an embargo on the supply of arms to the belligerent parties in Burundi. As part of an active peace policy, is the Council prepared to act in accordance with that resolution and, more generally, to prohibit Member States from participating in the supply of armaments to third countries? Answer (30 April 1998) The Council is aware of the Resolution on Burundi adopted by the European Parliament on 18 December 1997 and welcomes its condemnation of atrocities and human rights violations against the civilian population and of the continuing supply of arms to the opposing parties in the conflict