WRITTEN QUESTION E-0026/00 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Arms trade.
24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/127 (2000/C 303 E/128) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0025/00 by Manuel PØrez `lvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Safety of toys All the year round, and particularly at this season, the media in general and television in particular invade our lives and homes with advertising for toys, targeted mainly at one particular audience, namely children. However, as we know, much of this advertising provides very little real information as to the nature and qualities of the products being marketed. Given that much of this advertising is simply misleading, what measures have been taken to prevent or eliminate its pernicious effects? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (24 March 2000) The television without frontiers Directive, (TVWF) Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (1) as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 1997 provides the legal framework for television broadcasting within the Community. The TVWF Directive, as adopted in 1989, contained certain provisions relating to television advertising. In particular, Article 16 specifically provided that television advertising should not cause moral or physical detriment to minors. When the Directive was reviewed, the Commission undertook to carry out a study on the impact of television advertising and teleshopping on minors, in the context of the next review of the television Directive, in accordance with Article 26. This study was launched in January 2000, and should be finished before the end of the year 2000. In addition to the television Directive, Council Directive 84/450/CEE of 10 September 1984 relating to the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning misleading advertising (2) applies in a horizontal manner to all advertising. It should be noted that the Commission is currently encouraging a dialogue between consumer associa- tions and industry about marketing practices targeting children. (1) OJ L 202, 30. 7. 1997. (2) OJ L 250, 19. 9. 1984. (2000/C 303 E/129) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0026/00 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Arms trade The unregulated trade in arms is a scourge with a destabilising effect. In various regions of the world the excess supply of arms on the local market ü sometimes in the literal sense of the word ü is a permanent breeding ground for terror and violence. Underhand practices such as diamond smuggling, extortion and the drugs trade often go hand in hand with illegal arms dealing. Accordingly, any country governed by the rule of law seeks to divert the arms trade into legal channels and to impose restrictions on it, albeit in different ways, resulting distortion of competition. Which Member States have banned arms trade with countries in conflict? Which Member States ban exports to countries which do not respect human rights and/or are engaged in internal armed conflicts in their territory? C 303 E/128 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 Which Member States permit any form of arms exports to NATO countries? What initiatives are being taken to prevent distortion of competition? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (21 February 2000) Up to now, on the basis of Article 296 (ex Article 223) of the EC Treaty, trade in arms has been exempt from the scope of application of Treaty rules. There has therefore not been any basis for Community action. The arms trade is currently dealt with in the context of the Common foreign and security policy (CFSP), with which the Commission is fully associated. A code of conduct was agreed in 1998. First experiences have been positive but also show that there is room for strengthening both the code and its implementa- tion. However, the Commission possesses neither the authority nor the means to monitor arms sales by Member States and to confirm or deny possible violations of embargoes. Full responsibility for the licensing of arms exports belongs to national governments. (2000/C 303 E/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0029/00 by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Council (20 January 2000) Subject: Monitoring of the referendum in Western Sahara For more than seven years, the Sahrawi people have been waiting for news from the Moroccan authorities about a referendum on the future of Western Sahara. The Moroccan authorities have more than once broken agreements they had with Polisario regarding the date of the referendum. However, registration of those entitled to vote has now resumed, and a referendum campaign is being planned that is expected to be concluded on 31 July 2000, which is also the date on which the referendum is scheduled to take place. The risk of electoral fraud is great, and an international team of monitors needs to be sent in order to ensure that the referendum takes place in a democratic manner. Will the Council assist in monitoring the referendum on the future of Western Sahara? Reply (10/11 April 2000) The Council has fully supported the Settlement Plan proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General, which aims at the holding of a free, fair and impartial referendum to give effect to the principle of self- determination of the people of Western Sahara. It notes the concern expressed by the Secretary-General in his recent report, that áthe fundamental differencesí (between Morocco and the Polisario Front) áraise doubts about the possibility of achieving a smooth and consensual implementation of the Settlement Planí. In that report on the Western Sahara, the United Nations Secretary-General stated that he intended to ask his Personal Envoy, James Baker, áto consult with the parties ( ) to explore ways and means to achieve an early, durable and agreed resolution of their disputeí. The Council will pursue its efforts aiming at creating a climate of confidence and trust between all parties involved in order to reach a long term solution acceptable to all the parties concerned. It is in direct contact with the United Nations General Secretaryís Special Representative for Western Sahara, Ambassa- dor Eagleton, in order to see how it can best contribute to this process