WRITTEN QUESTION E-2732/99 by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Nicaragua: corruption and EU aid.
C 280 E/118 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 (2000/C 280 E/124) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2732/99 by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Nicaragua: corruption and EU aid Following the arrest of the President of the Nicaraguan Court of Auditors, Mr Agustin Jarquin, who had irregularities committed by the present government, does the EU spoken out against serious financial intend to review its programme of aid to the country without delay, pending Mr Jarquinís release, the reestablishment of proper institutional controls on the activities of the government and a thorough investigation of the above allegations? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (1 February 2000) The cases of corruption reported by the President of the Nicaraguan Court of Auditors do not specifically relate to funds from the international community. Nevertheless, the Commission shares the Honourable Memberís concern about the events leading to the Nicaraguan Controller-Generalís arrest. The Commission considers that democratic institutions such as the Controller-Generalís Office are the basis for the rule of law and development in each country and should therefore be able to function without political interference. For this reason the Commission fully endorsed the European Union Troikaís request to the Nicaraguan Foreign Affairs Minister on 18 November 1999 to stress the European Unionís concern about the situation. The Commission is delighted that the points raised by the European Union and other members of the international community probably contributed to Mr Jaquinís release on 24 December 1999, thus giving the authority back to such an important institution to control and verify the proper use of Nicaraguan public funds as well as funds from the international community. In order to improve the control and proper utilisation of funds, the Commission applies a system for major projects using European experts in a management unit which supervises the correct and accountable in accordance with the financing agreements. It also uses evaluation and use of Community funding, monitoring missions to ensure the smooth running of projects and the proper use of financial resources, and the Commission Delegation in Managua plays an essential role in monitoring, making it possible to strengthen controls locally. (2000/C 280 E/125) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2734/99 by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Italian law which discriminates against disabled persons over the age of 65 Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam states that the Union is to combat all discrimination based on age. Is the Commission aware of the fact that Italian law (Article 19 of Law No 118 of 30 March 1971 and subsequent amendments) provides for the granting of a life-long financial benefit for citizens who are completely disabled and who apply for the benefit before the age of 65 but that the benefit is not payable to those who, despite meeting all the other conditions for eligibility, apply for the benefit after the age of 65? Is it aware of the fact that Italian old people, despite meeting all the disability conditions required by law, are discriminated against on the basis of their age when they apply for the benefit, a fact which has a life-long impact on whether or not they receive the benefit? Does the Commission intend to ask Italy to repeal this law, as a matter of urgency?