WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/99 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Use of force against young people in the USA.
C 203 E/134 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 (2000/C 203 E/170) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2092/99 by Georg Jarzembowski (PPE-DE) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Dispute between Kockums Computer Systems GmbH and the European Union The company Hamburg Kockums Computer Systems GmbH (previously known as SCHIFFKO, Schiffskon- struktion und Entwicklungs GmbH) is still claiming payments in relation to the 1988 áfull economic cost contractí, number RI1B-0198-C, with the European Economic Community. In the dispute about the outstanding payments, letter of 13 May 1998 from Mr Arturo Garcia Arroyo, DG XII, Directorate C, European Commission, announced that a áfull audití by the Commission servicesí would be undertaken so that the dispute could finally be settled. The company, Kockums Gmbh, and their lawyers, Cyros, Makowski and Partner, Hamburg, are still waiting for the Commissionís response. the latest The Commission is therefore asked: 1. Why has the Commission not yet replied to the many queries, sent on 20 July 1998, 14 September 1998, 3 November 1998, 4 January 1999 and 3 February 1999, from the lawyers Cyros, Makowski and Partner, all of which were sent to Mr Arroyo in DG XII? When does the Commission intend to reply? 2. What is the current position in this dispute? How does the Commission assess the claims? How is this matter to be concluded? Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1999) From 1993 to 1998, the Commission has made it clear in writing, by telephone and in meetings with Kockums Computer Systems GmbH and its legal representatives, that its cost claims under the above research contract (1988-1992) had no foundation and has provided detailed information and documenta- tion to this end. It had been proposed that a full financial audit be carried out, but this could not be carried out as the contractual period in which this could be done had expired. However, the Commission has exhausted all manner of response and maintains its position that it has fulfilled its obligations under the contract. There is no further action foreseen on the part of the Commission. (2000/C 203 E/171) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/99 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Use of force against young people in the USA that such actions could be a direct consequence of The media repeatedly carries reports of violence by American young people. It would not be unreasonable to suspect the violence they themselves have experienced, as young people in the USA (and elsewhere) are the victims of acts of violence every day, not least violence by the national authorities. The case of an 11-year-old boy with Swiss and American nationality, who was taken from his bed by the police in handcuffs and shackles and is currently being held on remand in America on charges of incest, provides evidence that children are forcibly removed from their parents without proper evidence. In the light of such horrifying cases, does the Commission intend: ü to bring increasing pressure to bear on the United States to prevent such acts of violence being carried out against children and young people, in particular by the national authorities? ü to point out to the United States that, in view of its alleged support for observance of human rights throughout the world, including China, it is essential that such rights are also observed at home? 18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/135 Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1999) The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member that the rights of children and young people should be properly observed around the world. The individual case, to which the Honourable Member is referring, has now been settled by the Court. The boy has been released and returned from the United States to Switzerland. It should be recalled that the Community and United States have an open dialogue on issues in the field of freedom, security and justice within the framework of the New transatlantic agenda. In general, this exchange of views includes criminal matters, such as money laundering, corruption and the fight against illegal drugs. The Community and United States have recently jointly organised a conference on combating child pornography on the Internet. The Commission will not hesitate to raise with the appropriate American authorities issues of concern similar to the one put forward by the Honourable Member whenever the need arises. (2000/C 203 E/172) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2099/99 by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Al Invest Programme For the 1995-2000 period the Commission launched an EU-Latin America economic cooperation programme to enable economic operators on both continents and from various sectors to meet and to set up partnerships, particularly in the form of investment projects, distribution agreements, technology transfers, joint ventures and strategic alliances. The Commission has proposed extending the Al Invest programme for a further period (2000-2004) and increasing its funding, and has forwarded such a proposal to the European Parliament. During the programmeís initial period of operation there was evidence that the procedures for making payments to operators were becoming cumbersome. With this in mind and with the aim of identifying ways in which proper account could be taken of operatorsí views and needs, and given that the new Al Invest guide to procedure is currently in preparation at the Commission, would the Commission answer the following questions: ü What arrangements does the Commission intend to make for involving operators in the establishment of procedures for the implementation of the new Al Invest programme? ü To what extent may one look forward to the implementation of procedures for communication and Invest cooperation with operators which are more flexible than was the case during the Al programmeís initial period of operation? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (6 December 1999) In reply to the first part of the question, the Commission stresses that nothing can replace direct contact with operators. In 1998 (London) and 1999 (Barcelona), meetings were arranged under the name Connect to allow operators to exchange ideas with the Commission for about two days (in addition to direct contact among operators in order to prepare proposals for meetings of firms, which are the main function of Connect). At each of the meetings stock was taken of all the technical, administrative and financial aspects, on which the success of the programme depends. Connect meetings will be arranged in the last three months of every year from 2000 to 2004. Direct, individual contact with operators will also take place, where necessary, by electronic and ordinary mail. There is now also a web site with an Intranet (ámembers onlyí) part reserved for operators (www. al-invest. org). A technical secretariat, which provides support and advice for operators, will be maintained until the end of 2005