WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3526/97 by Fernando FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍN to the Commission. Activities of the Commission group of experts in connection with the forest fires in Indonesia
30. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 134/171 Furthermore the Commission recalls that all Member States are parties to the 1972 convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and on their destruction. On 25 June 1996, the Council defined common position 96/408/CFSP on that subject. The aim is to strengthen compliance with the international non-proliferation system by promoting the universality of the convention and working for the successful conclusion of the negotiations on a legally binding and effective verification regime no later than in 1998. The Commission strongly supports that common position. (1) OJ C 253, 30. 9. 1992. (2) OJ L 367, 31. 12. 1994. (98/C 134/233) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3526/97 by Fernando Ferna·ndez Mart ·n (PPE) to the Commission (12 November 1997) Subject: Activities of the Commission group of experts in connection with the forest fires in Indonesia According to a recent report by the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs, the forest fires which are devastating large areas of Indonesia have not yet been brought under control and continue to cause significant environmental pollution throughout the region. Many countries and international organizations have already sent assistance to the Indonesian Government in the form of funds, experts and material resources (fire-fighting equipment, medicine, transport, etc. ). At the end of September, the European Union decided to set up a team of experts on forest fires. This team is working under the direction of the Commissionís Forest Liaison Bureau, which has been active in Jakarta since February 1997. Can the Commission provide information on the role played by this team of experts, its activities and the outcome of its work? Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1997) The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliamentís Secretariat. (98/C 134/234) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3556/97 by Luigi Florio (UPE) to the Commission (4 November 1997) Subject: EU loan to the Palestine National Authority The Union is about to grant a loan of ECU 25 million to the Palestine National Authority in order to make up for funds which the Israeli Government has failed to transfer to the Arafat Government. In April 1997 the Israeli newspaper Haíaretz revealed that President Arafat holds a secret account with the Leumi Bank in Tel Aviv (Hashmonaim Street branch), in which some $150 m (approximately ECU 125 m) is deposited. The money, the proceeds of duties on imported fuel to be supplied to the Palestinian territories, was paid by the Israeli Government. It was consequently intended for the PNA, but President Arafat has withheld it for personal use completely beyond the range of scrutiny