WRITTEN QUESTION E-0419/00 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Eliminating the dangers of using depleted uranium in (civil) aviation.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/155 3. In view of the commitment of and the specific experience acquired by the Italian customs department in this field, does the Council not consider that, in order to guarantee the continued effectiveness of the mission, it would be advisable to maintain a close relationship with the Italian customs department and therefore give priority consideration to the candidate already put forward by the department to replace Mrs Cea? Reply (2 May 2000) The Council has, on several occasions, confirmed the readiness of the European Union to support Albania in its stabilisation and reform process, in particular through ongoing Community assistance. While welcoming the efforts made by the Albanian authorities in tackling economic, political and institutional weaknesses, the Council has also made it clear that a condition for a successful participation of the country in the Stabilisation and Association Process for South East Europe, will be that a number of issues are addressed, in particular the consolidation of the rule of law and acceleration of structural reforms. The setting up of a stable and effective customs administration clearly is one of the issues, and the particular project to which the Honourable Parliamentarian makes reference, the Customs Assistance Mission, is the most important project financed by the Community in this field, and the Council follows it with great interest and concern. The Council hence shares the view of the Honourable Parliamentarian that continued effectiveness of the Customs Mission is of the utmost importance. It therefore regrets the departure of the Head of Mission. The Council clearly cannot express itself on management and appointments within the Mission. It will, however, support the Commission in its efforts to conduct a selection procedure based on professional qualifications, which will allow for the appointment of a new Head of Mission who fulfils the requirements for the job. In this context the Council would like to refer to the answer by the Commission to your written question number P-405/00. (2000/C 330 E/176) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0419/00 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (23 February 2000) Subject: Eliminating the dangers of using depleted uranium in (civil) aviation 1. Is the Commission aware of the report in the New Scientist (UK) for 15 January 2000 investigating the crash of the Korean-Air Boeing 747 in Essex, UK, in December 1999, which reveals in particular that the (civilian) airliner was carrying 300 kg of depleted uranium in the tail, not as cargo but as a counterweight? Is the Commission aware that such quantities of depleted uranium are built into older aircraft in 2. particular on a large scale? 3. Is the Commission also aware of the serious dangers to public health that can be caused by depleted uranium, the best known examples being the Bijlmermeer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) air crash and, on a vastly greater scale, the Gulf War in Iraq? Can the Commission state to what rules, European or worldwide, the use of depleted uranium in 4. aircraft construction is subject? Can the Commission state what rules exist concerning the processing of depleted uranium during the 5. dismantling of aircraft and the processing of depleted uranium in the event of disasters? 6. What action will the Commission take to eliminate completely the dangers posed by the use of depleted uranium in aircraft? C 330 E/156 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (3 April 2000) Not being in possession of all the details of the Korean Air Boeing 747 accident in Essex, United Kingdom, in December 1999, the Commission recently enquired into this matter at the request of Parliamentís Committee on Petitions. The enquiry confirmed that depleted uranium was indeed used, in the past, in the construction of aircraft, including the Boeing 747, on account of its high density. This practice was abandoned in 1981, and uranium has gradually been replaced by other metals. It is true that aircraft containing depleted uranium remain in service, but the enquiry carried out by the Dutch authorities following the El Al Boeing accident on 4 October 1992 near Amsterdam showed that the likelihood of an accident involving one of these aircraft having a harmful effect on public health was negligible. Community law contains no provisions excluding the use of depleted uranium in aircraft construction. The findings of the abovementioned enquiry confirmed that there is no need, given our current level of knowledge, for the few aircraft still containing depleted uranium to be banned from use. (2000/C 330 E/177) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0423/00 by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council Subject: Respect for human rights in EU foreign policy (17 February 2000) The Europe-Africa summit conference will provide an excellent opportunity for promoting a rapproche- ment, furthering mutual understanding and establishing new ties of cooperation between the two continents. The European Union must insist on the adoption of an agenda which includes the principles of democracy and respect for human rights. What subjects does the Council propose should be included in the agenda of this summit conference? Does it intend to include equality of treatment of men and women and the protection of children and compliance with the International Convention on the Rights of the Child? Reply (2 May 2000) The Council shares the Honourable Memberís view that the Africa-Europe Summit to take place in Cairo on 3 and 4 April 2000 will provide an excellent opportunity, at the threshold of the new century, to establish a strategic partnership between the Member States of the European Union and the States of the African continent, a partnership which will be based on the historical heritage which unites us and on our common interest in promoting peace, democracy, human rights, development and the eradication of poverty. The subjects for debate by the Heads of State or Government attending the summit have been agreed jointly by the European Union and its African partners. They range over the fields of politics, economics and development. The European Union attaches particular importance to the political dialogue with its African partners, which will include in-depth discussion of the promotion of democracy and human rights, including the subjects to which the Honourable Member refers