WRITTEN QUESTION E-1718/99 by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) and Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Widespread death of Iraqi children caused by the embargo.
C 203 E/30 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 (2000/C 203 E/036) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1711/99 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (29 September 1999) Subject: Finnish border control of egg trade Is it true that, under an agreement with the EU, the Finnish Government may introduce a border control to prevent imports of eggs from Sweden, whereas the same possibility is not open to the Swedish authorities? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 November 1999) The Commission is not aware of provisions in an agreement between the Community and Finland authorising Finnish border controls to prevent deliveries of eggs from Sweden. (2000/C 203 E/037) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1718/99 by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) and Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Council (30 September 1999) Subject: Widespread death of Iraqi children caused by the embargo The awful figures relating to the death of Iraqi children caused by the embargo imposed on Iraq have been confirmed by the WHO, UN observers and the International Red Cross. 1. Why does the Council continue to support the policy of maintaining an embargo on Iraq since it has become clear that in no way does it undermine the power of the Iraqi dictator and that it only affects the civilian population, as has been pointed out by the French government? 2. What steps does the Council intend to take, as a matter of urgency, in order to bring an end to a situation which has become intolerable from the point of view of human rights and international law? Answer (24 January 2000) The European Union will continue to implement the embargo imposed by the UN Security Council in Resolution No 687. It has also implemented the áoil for foodí programmes decided by the UN Security Council, and notes that they have improved, albeit to a limited extent, the living conditions of the civilian population of Iraq. The EU also provides aid to the Iraqi people, within the limits set by UN Security Council resolutions, through international aid organisations. The Council calls on the Iraqi government to increase its cooperation with these organisations to facilitate their work. In the meantime, the EU continues to provide aid to the Iraqi people. The Council calls on the Iraqi Government to cooperate with international aid organisations