WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1575/98 by Sérgio RIBEIRO to the Council. Map of the EU on euro coins and failure to differentiate two Member States
C 354/114 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 11. 98 In the Chairmanís statement, the CHR stated that it continues to follow with deep concern the reports on violations of human rights in East Timor. It stressed the need for the Government of Indonesia to implement its undertakings to promote human rights in East Timor, and those contained in the CHR Chairmanís statements on the matter, including concrete steps on the early trial and release of East Timorese detained or convicted, as well as for those in custody to be treated humanely. The CHR reiterated the need for further clarification of the circumstances surrounding the Dili incident of 1991. The CHR noted the understanding between the Government of Indonesia and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning access of the programme officer to East Timor within the framework of technical cooperation. The CHR also noted the commitment by the Government of Indonesia to continue to allow greater access to East Timor by the international media and international humanitarian organisations. The CHR welcomed the Government of Indonesiaís decision to invite the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to visit East Timor in advance of the 55th session of the CHR. (98/C 354/183) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1575/98 by Se·rgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Council (25 May 1998) Subject: Map of the EU on euro coins and failure to differentiate two Member States The Council replied to my question P-0169/98 (1) in a way which must be termed unfortunate. My question highlighted a clear error, at political level, since the designs for euro coins feature a map of the EU which distinguishes the borders between all the Member States with the exception of Portugal and Spain. The Councilís reply misses the point, which may be a misunderstanding due to political expediency, but it concludes with a sentence which I consider to be unacceptable, since it refers to Portugal and Spain as átwo separate geographical entitiesí. This is not the point. The point was not a matter of geography but the fact that, on a political map of the European Union, Spain and Portugal are not identified as separate political entities. Can the Council say whether the above reply was seen and approved by the representatives of these two Member States of the European Union which, euphemistically speaking, the Council appears tempted to regard politically as mere ágeographical entitiesí? (1) OJ C 196, 22. 6. 1998, p. 120. The Council has nothing to add to its reply to Written Question No P-0169/98. Answer (20 July 1998) (98/C 354/184) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1585/98 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (25 May 1998) Subject: Slate industry and fourth framework programme for research and development In her reply to my previous Written Question No. E-4008/97 (1) and with reference to the fourth framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities, Mrs Cresson cited by way of example three projects funded under the technology stimulation measures (CRAFT) scheme of the IMT programme (projects nos. BES2-5168, BES2-2134 and BES2-5271) involving the slate industry. Some of the 16 SME which took part in these projects are Spanish