WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1508/98 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. The information society and social and economic cohesion
C 386/138 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 11. 12. 98 (98/C 386/192) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1498/98 by Peter Skinner (PSE) to the Commission (13 May 1998) Subject: Human Rights in Sierra Leone Given the recent events in Sierra Leone, can the Commission comment on what is being done towards stabilizing democratic rule? Furthermore, can the Commission comment on its discussions concerning the current situation of refugees seeking political asylum? Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (23 June 1998) Since the return of President Kabbah from exile and the restoration of democratic rule in Sierra Leone on 10 March 1998, priority has been accorded to ways in which democratic rule can be stabilised and consolidated in order to provide a firm basis for the countryís reconstruction and future development. The countryís internal security will continue for some time to be dependent upon the presence of the Groupe de contrôle de la CommunautØ Øconomique des Etats de Afrique de líouest (Ecomog), the successful outcome of whose operations in Sierra Leone will determine the timing and arrangements for the restoration of local government as planned by the current government. At the central level, the government has committed itself to establishing a more accountable and transparent collection and management of public funds in an attempt to reverse the discontent and unrest amongst civil society and the armed forces created by decades of widespread corruption and mismanagement. The Commission is thus financing an institutional support programme based in the ministry of finance aimed at the strengthening of the governmentís capacity to manage and account for the state finances and plans to expand this type of assistance in its future programmes financed under the 8th European development fund (EDF). As far as the rest of the country is concerned, the government - with the assistance of donors - is facilitating the return of displaced communities to their villages and towns. Emergency humanitarian assistance is being provided in the form of well-targeted nutritional feeding and medical programmes (2. 9 MECU) and also in the form of seeds and tools programmes (1. 9 MECU) to aid agricultural recovery. The Commission is also preparing the resumption of its rehabilitation programmes in rural areas to assist with the reconstruction of social infrastructure damaged as a result of civil unrest over the last 7 years as well as the recent fighting since the military coup of May 1997. The assistance to rural communities to resettle and resume economic activities and to receive basic social services is considered a high priority given the impact of past social marginalisation and deprivation on the stability of successive governments since independence. The Commission is not aware of any discussions being held relating to refugeesí requests for political asylum. However, assistance is being given through a European non governmental organisation (NGO) to refugees in Guinea where preparations are under way for their eventual voluntary return to Sierra Leone as soon as the security situation permits. (98/C 386/193) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1508/98 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (13 May 1998) Subject: The information society and social and economic cohesion In its report A-0399/97, Parliamentís Committee on Regional Policy points out that access to the information society in general and, specifically, the ability to use information and subsequently convert it into relevant knowledge call for special training. The Amsterdam Treaty states that Member States and the Community shall,