WRITTEN QUESTION E-1662/99 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Threat of US sanctions against Sol-Melià.
C 170 E/68 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 (2000/C 170 E/076) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1662/99 by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (22 September 1999) Subject: Threat of US sanctions against Sol-Melià The US Department of State is considering the possiblity of imposing sanctions on the Spanish hotel group Sol-Melià on account of its investments in Cuba. The USA is planning to apply Title IV of the Helms- Burton Act, which the EU considers to be illegal because its scope extends beyond US territory. Such sanctions, if imposed, would affect international free trade and would damage the business interests of one of Spainís most representative tourism companies. 1. How real is the threat that sanctions may be imposed on Sol-Melià? If sanctions were to be imposed, what action could the Commission take in order to protect Sol- 2. Melià interests? 3. Would the Commission be willing to take up the issue of the Helms-Burton Act with the World Trade Organisation? Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission (13 October 1999) The Commission recalls that the decisions and statements made at the Community and the United States summit of 18 May 1998 regarding the Helms Burton and Iran/Libya Sanctions Acts were intended to pave the way for a definitive solution to this major bilateral disagreement. The Commission remains very concerned that no tangible progress has so far been made on the American side on their commitment to seeking Congressional amendment to Title IV of Helms Burton, not least since the American administra- tion has regularly recalled the Presidentís continuing obligation, in the absence of such an amendment, to enforce that Title. The Commission has for its part always made it clear that if action is taken against Community companies or individuals under the Helms-Burton Act, the question of a new World trade organisation (WTO) panel will inevitably arise. The Commission has urged the American administration to accelerate the implementation, on their side, of the May 1998 summit deal. The Commission is following the situation very closely and will continue to keep the Parliament informed of any new developments regarding the implementation of the 18 May 1998 understandings. (2000/C 170 E/077) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1665/99 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (22 September 1999) Subject: Misappropriation of Development IMF funds for Russia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and At the end of July the Chairman of the International Monetary Fund, Michel Camdessus, granted a loan of US$ 4,5 billion to the Russian Federation, although he knew about a report by Price Waterhouse confirming that Moscowís Central Bank had for some time been diverting part of the funding to financial institutions abroad. Does the Commission know whether EBRD funds as well as IMF funds have been misappropriated?