WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1568/98 by Andrea MANZELLA to the Commission. Assassination of Bishop Juan Gerardi
C 31/58 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 5. 2. 1999 (1999/C 31/075) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1568/98 by Andrea Manzella (PSE) to the Commission (20 May 1998) Subject: Assassination of Bishop Juan Gerardi With reference to the assassination of Bishop Juan Gerardi, would the Commission state what urgent measures it considers the European Union should take to urge the Government of Guatemala to conduct an efficient and searching investigation to identify both those who carried out the crime and those who commissioned it for political reasons, as the bishopís murder confronts Guatemala with the terrible prospect of a return to civil war? Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (18 June 1998) The Commission welcomes the Guatemalan Governmentís statement that it will do all within its power to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the assassination of Bishop Juan Gerardi. It will also monitor closely the work of the high-level committee set up to keep under constant review the ongoing proceedings of the judicial enquiry. The Commission is well aware that the deficient structure and functioning of the legal system, particularly where the security forces and administration of justice are concerned, may seriously jeopardise a satisfactory conclusion of the enquiry. The Honourable Member may rest assured that, while respecting the sovereignty of Guatemala and the spirit of the peace agreements, the Commission will do all it can to see these deficiencies overcome and ensure that effective instruments are available to the Guatemalan authorities with a view to enforcing the Governmentís expressed intention to pinpoint those responsible for the commission and the commitment of the crime and to create the right conditions so that community life can carry on peacefully. It is with this objective that the Commission recently signed an important financing agreement involving support for the constitution of a new national civil police force. This operation, which is an integral part of the peace programme and will be the largest cooperation project ever financed by the Community in Latin America (almost ECU 32 million), will be followed this year by a substantial contribution towards reforming and consolidating the legal system. (1999/C 31/076) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1577/98 by Robin Teverson (ELDR) to the Council (25 May 1998) Subject: Funding for the elderly A Commission proposal for a new Action Programme for the Elderly has been languishing in the Council with no immediate prospects for approval due to objections from one Member State › Germany. In marked contrast, the UN Year of the Elderly will be launched in a few months time and the European Parliament is sponsoring its own Senior Citizens Conference in October. What message does this send to the citizens of Europe, whose population is ageing rapidly? What are the objections of this Member State? If the Council cannot accept the Commissionís proposal, what alternative action does the Council intend to take?