WRITTEN QUESTION E-1044/00 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Chechen refugees.
C 53 E/62 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (22 May 2000) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Questions E-0784/00 and E-0818/00 by Mrs MiguØlez Ramos (1). (1) OJ C 46 E, 13. 2. 2001, p. 42. (2001/C 53 E/072) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1044/00 by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (4 April 2000) Subject: Chechen refugees Recent press reports have highlighted the existence of 277 100 Chechen refugees, chiefly in Ingushetiya but also in other neighbouring republics such as North Osetiya and Dagestan, in addition to the 42 000 people housed in provisional camps in Chechnya itself, at Asinovskaia and Sernovodsk west of Grozny. What practical economic and political measures is the European Union taking as part of urgent and effective action to remedy this tragic situation? Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (12 May 2000) Since the early stages of the present crisis, the Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), has been providing emergency assistance to the civilians displaced by the hostilities. While implementing the programme in co-operation with the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) the Commission faced considerable operational constraints (important security problems for aid workers, etc. ). Nevertheless, the Commission managed to provide aid in a broad range of humanitarian fields (such as food, shelter, public health, water and sanitation, essential relief items). Currently the total financial allocation stands at € 7,4 million. So far, the programme has mainly focused on Ingushetia, but it has also covered Daguestan and Georgia. At present, the main operational priority is the resumption of operations in Chechnya itself, where activities had to be suspended in November 1999 due to security constraints. The Commission, in close co-ordination with other members of the interna- tional community, continues to advocate the role of humanitarian actors in this emergency in its negotiations with the Russian authorities. (2001/C 53 E/073) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1045/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (4 April 2000) Subject: Construction of a metro system in the metropolitan area of Oporto Work is about to start on the construction of a metro system in the metropolitan area of Oporto in line with a project agreed with the Commission. Proposals have since been made for the addition of new stretches of track and changes to those originally planned in response to transport problems in and around the city