WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2530/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. Contacts for Commission information campaigns
C 96/110 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 4. 1999 The Commission considers that these restrictions, provided that appropriate implementing measures are taken at the national level, represent an adequate legal basis for effectively dealing with situations such as those indicated by the Honourable Member. (1) OJ L 144, 4. 6. 1997. (1999/C 96/153) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2527/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (1 September 1998) Subject: Political oppression in Burma As the military dictatorship of Burma has carried out countless atrocities against the Burmese people and the population of the country lives in extreme poverty despite an abundance of natural resources, what action does the Commission intend to take? Would the Commission advocate the imposition of economic and financial sanctions against the Burmese government? Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (28 September 1998) The Commission continues to press its partners to urge the government in Burma to engage in a substantive dialogue with the opposition. In particular, this has been an important issue in recent discussions with its Association of South East Asian nations (ASEAN) partners. Under the common position, co-operation with Burma remains suspended and will continue to be so until substantial progress is made towards democratisation and the respect of human rights. Only humanitarian programmes will be funded. In addition, outside the political framework, it has to be recalled that the Union has temporarily withdrawn Burmaís access to the tariff preferences granted within the framework of the schemes of generalized tariff preferences (GSP) because of the practice of forced labour (Council Regulation (EC) 552/97 of 24 March 1997 (1)). The Union has decided to keep additional measures under consideration, whilst prolonging the common position on Burma. The decision regarding the imposition of further sanctions against the Burmese government has to be taken under the Common foreign and security policy (CFSP) framework and not by the Commission alone. (1) OJ L 85, 27. 3. 1997. (1999/C 96/154) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2530/98 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1998) Subject: Contacts for Commission information campaigns Has the Commission purchased, in the last five years, research, polling or consultancy services from the company Carville, Greenburg and Gould/NOP, or the UK-based organisations 2010 or the Foreign Policy Centre? Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1998) The Commission has no knowledge of having engaged the services of the companies referred to in the Honourable Memberís question