WRITTEN QUESTION E-0029/00 by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Monitoring of the referendum in Western Sahara.
C 303 E/128 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 Which Member States permit any form of arms exports to NATO countries? What initiatives are being taken to prevent distortion of competition? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (21 February 2000) Up to now, on the basis of Article 296 (ex Article 223) of the EC Treaty, trade in arms has been exempt from the scope of application of Treaty rules. There has therefore not been any basis for Community action. The arms trade is currently dealt with in the context of the Common foreign and security policy (CFSP), with which the Commission is fully associated. A code of conduct was agreed in 1998. First experiences have been positive but also show that there is room for strengthening both the code and its implementa- tion. However, the Commission possesses neither the authority nor the means to monitor arms sales by Member States and to confirm or deny possible violations of embargoes. Full responsibility for the licensing of arms exports belongs to national governments. (2000/C 303 E/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0029/00 by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Council (20 January 2000) Subject: Monitoring of the referendum in Western Sahara For more than seven years, the Sahrawi people have been waiting for news from the Moroccan authorities about a referendum on the future of Western Sahara. The Moroccan authorities have more than once broken agreements they had with Polisario regarding the date of the referendum. However, registration of those entitled to vote has now resumed, and a referendum campaign is being planned that is expected to be concluded on 31 July 2000, which is also the date on which the referendum is scheduled to take place. The risk of electoral fraud is great, and an international team of monitors needs to be sent in order to ensure that the referendum takes place in a democratic manner. Will the Council assist in monitoring the referendum on the future of Western Sahara? Reply (10/11 April 2000) The Council has fully supported the Settlement Plan proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General, which aims at the holding of a free, fair and impartial referendum to give effect to the principle of self- determination of the people of Western Sahara. It notes the concern expressed by the Secretary-General in his recent report, that áthe fundamental differencesí (between Morocco and the Polisario Front) áraise doubts about the possibility of achieving a smooth and consensual implementation of the Settlement Planí. In that report on the Western Sahara, the United Nations Secretary-General stated that he intended to ask his Personal Envoy, James Baker, áto consult with the parties ( ) to explore ways and means to achieve an early, durable and agreed resolution of their disputeí. The Council will pursue its efforts aiming at creating a climate of confidence and trust between all parties involved in order to reach a long term solution acceptable to all the parties concerned. It is in direct contact with the United Nations General Secretaryís Special Representative for Western Sahara, Ambassa- dor Eagleton, in order to see how it can best contribute to this process