WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3648/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Exercise of power, Community fraud and political malpractice
15. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 297/93 (1999/C 297/123) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3648/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (3 December 1998) Subject: Exercise of power, Community fraud and political malpractice The 5 November issue of an authoritative Italian weekly news magazine contains a report on a series of acts of corruption in which the European Commission is said to be directly implicated, the very institution which regularly condemns inefficiency, delays and cases of corruption in Member States. According to the weekly magazine ‘Panorama’, the former French prime minister Mrs Cresson, now the commissioner for scientific research, is caught up in a complex web of business and political interests. It appears that Mrs Cresson’s dentist assisted her in her work in Brussels, without a regular salary but with support from the businessman Perry, the owner of Perry-Lux, the agency now famous for being involved in cases of Community fraud, and the prospect of possible consultancy work, which, it should be pointed out, Cresson did not facilitate. Instead, Mrs Cresson appointed the dentist and his son under contracts as scientific researchers. These contracts had previously been given only to the most eminent medical and scientific authorities in Europe commissioned to write important reports. Does the Commission intend, as a matter of urgency, to respond to these accusations, and to provide all the explanations necessary to clarify a situation which discredits all the institutions of the European Union? Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (4 February 1999) The person referred to by the Honourable Member is an odonto-stomatologist who has practised, in particular, as a head of service in hospitals. The periods he spent on special assignment to the Minister for Social Affairs and with the National Association for the enhancement of research have broadened his scientific background, making him suitable for the function of visiting scientist. The person in question does indeed have contracts with private companies (in particular, those mentioned in the article), but they have nothing to do with the Commission, as acknowledged by the article and the Honourable Member. This person’s son had a one-year contract (now expired) with the Commission in order to carry out specific analysis and administrative management tasks. The Directorate-General which recruited him has 170 auxiliary posts which it renews regularly. (1999/C 297/124) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3680/98 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NG) to the Commission Subject: Environmental awareness park on the outskirts of Athens (7 December 1998) On the outskirts of Athens (municipalities of Ilioupolis, Agioi, Anargyroi and Kamatero) is situated a very large public property, the ‘Pyrgos Vasilissis’, around which an environmental awareness park is being created. The Community is contributing to the necessary investment (Dr 2,5 billion) (ERDF, pilot urban schemes under Article 10). However, there have been many complaints from local residents that the construction of a hypermarket (2,7 hectares!) next to the park has been authorised, which will pose major problems concerning traffic, parking, pollution, etc