WRITTEN QUESTION P-0223/00 by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Road widening works at Glen of the Downs, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
C 330 E/106 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 customs authorities of each Member State were asked to undertake post-clearance recovery of duty for those certificates which (1) had clearly been falsified or related to goods not produced in Bangladesh and (2) had been obtained on the basis of false declarations to the Export Promotion Bureau by the manufacturers. Bangladesh recognised the problems arising with the issue of certificates of origin (form A) and inadequate checking of them. Moreover, the importers in the European Union were apparently only informed of the problems with the Bangladeshi authorities at a very late stage. Is it true that the Commission is currently considering a proposal to exonerate the importers from payment of certain customs duties on grounds of áexceptional circumstancesí? If so, what measures will be taken, and to what period will these measures relate? If not, will the Commission take measures in this regard? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (28 March 2000) It is true that customs duties relating to goods imported under cover of 15 000 certificates of origin issued by the Bangladeshi authorities between 1994 and mid-1996 have been declared payable, following the decision by the Bangladeshi authorities to withdraw (cancel) the certificates in question ü a decision taken in circumstances described in the Honourable Memberís question. The demand for such payment is entirely in line with the provisions of EEC Regulation No 2454/93 (1). A Community delegation visited Bangladesh in December 1996 on an administrative cooperation and investigation mission. There, they were able to confirm that the suspected irregularities had in fact taken place. On the basis of the evidence they gathered, the Commission published a notice in the Official Journal in April 1997 (2). Between June and August 1998, Bangladesh was struck by a natural catastrophe (floods) which had a substantial and damaging impact on both the economic life of its administrative authorities. The Commission is presently considering whether these events might be held to constitute áexceptional circumstancesí, within the meaning of the regulation cited above. the country and the work of (1) OJ L 253, 11. 10. 1993. (2) OJ C 107, 5. 4. 1997. (2000/C 330 E/118) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0223/00 by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Road widening works at Glen of the Downs, Co. Wicklow, Ireland Has the Commission ascertained the significance of the new evidence that has come to light in relation to the Glen of the Downs, County Wicklow, Ireland, designated a proposed SAC on 12 August 1999? Is the Commission of the opinion that the information provided so far by the Irish authorities enable it to assess with precision the level of damage to be incurred by the proposed SAC? Is the Commission likely to put a stay on proposed road works pending replies to its queries by the Irish Government? Is the Commission going to issue legal proceedings against Ireland on this matter? What further steps if any is the Commission going to take to fully assess the impact of the road works at the Glen of the Downs? Is the Commission likely to withdraw part or all of its funding should the results of enquiries prove unsatisfactory? 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/107 Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (7 March 2000) The Commission assumes that the new evidence cited by the Honourable Member consists of a hydro- geological report which she submitted to the Commission on 21 January 2000. This concerns the possible effects on groundwater and ash-hazel woodland of the road drainage system. The Commission has forwarded this to the Irish authorities for comments, and proposes to defer comment until the Irish authorities have responded. the design of The Commission does not have the power to put a stay on road works. It has no current plans to start legal proceedings in relation to the project or to withdraw funding. (2000/C 330 E/119) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0226/00 by JosØ Salafranca SÆnchez-Neyra (PPE-DE) to the Council Subject: Arrest of moderate dissidents in Cuba (28 January 2000) Osvaldo Paya Sardiæas and HØctor Palacios, two moderate dissidents, were recently arrested in Cuba, and taken away to an unknown destination. According to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, more than 300 dissidents and human rights activists have been arrested since November 1999. Is the Council aware of these circumstances? What is its position on these arrests? Does it intend to take any action on the matter? Reply (2 May 2000) As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Council pays close attention to the situation of human rights in Cuba in general and the situation of dissidents in particular. On the specific question of the arrest of Mr Osvaldo Paya Sardiæas of the Movimiento Cristiano de Liberacióní and HØctor Palacios, founder member of the Partido de Solidaridad DemocrÆticaí, who were detained on 25 January, the Council was kept informed of their situation and was pleased to hear that they had been released the day after their arrest. In the field of human rights, the EU has always made its position clear whenever necessary through both public declarations and representations to the Cuban authorities. Moreover, the EU missions in Havana consult one another regularly on human rights issues and maintain a useful dialogue with Cuban dissidents and other groups of Cuban society. In March 1999 the Council issued a statement expressing the EUís regrets concerning the outcome of the trial of four members of the Internal Dissidence Working Groupí and repeating its calls for the prompt release of the four. The EUís objective with regard to Cuba, as stated in the Common Position on Cuba adopted by the Council on 2 December 1996, continues to be to encourage a process of transition towards a pluralistic democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as sustainable economic recovery and improved living standards for the Cuban people. The EU considers that result-oriented dialogue and humanitarian aid are the best instruments for attaining that objective. When carrying out its sixth evaluation of the Common Position in November 1999, the Council concluded that there had been no changes in the situation in Cuba that would justify a change in the EUís approach. The Council will continue to raise these and other issues relating to human rights with the Cuban authorities at every opportunity