WRITTEN QUESTION E-0247/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Withholding of the premium for tobacco producers for the Community Tobacco Fund.
26. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 26 E/23 Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (8 March 2000) The Commission follows the human rights situation in Cuba closely ü and in particular the case of political dissidents ü through monitoring carried out by the human rights working group made up of representatives of Member Statesí embassies and the Commission in Havana. Through declarations and approaches at local level, the Union has regularly expressed its disapproval to the Cuban authorities regarding the treatment of political dissidents and activists. The Commission is aware of the detention of those dissidents in the last months. To the best of the Commissionís knowledge, the majority of cases have been short detentions (Cuban human rights groups claim that the number of detainees that would have to face trial is around 11 out of 262) but the Commission still believes its importance must not be underestimated. The Commission was also informed about the detention of Osvaldo PayÆ and Hector Palacios on 25 January 2000. It has learned that the two were released after being interrogated by security officers. On that basis, the Union has agreed not to undertake formal action on the matter at this stage. The Commission will nevertheless continue to work towards pursuing the common goals of promoting human rights in Cuba and will take advantage of any opportunity to raise the issue with the Cuban authorities. (2001/C 26 E/027) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0247/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (7 February 2000) Subject: Withholding of the premium for tobacco producers for the Community Tobacco Fund In its resolution of 17. 7. 1997 (1) on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco, the European Parliament called on the Commission to supply information on the activities so far of the Tobacco Research and Information Fund as a precondition for any agreement to increase the resources available to it. 1. Has any information been published about the use of the resources withheld between 1993 and 1988 by the Tobacco Research and Information Fund? Which programmes have been funded for Greece so far? 2. Given that no implementing regulation has been issued to increase the deduction decided by Council Regulation 1636/98 (2) on the Community Tobacco Fund, does the Commission intend to examine the possibility of not withholding the premium for tobacco producers for the above Fund in 1999? (1) OJ C 286, 22. 9. 1997, p. 237. (2) OJ L 210, 28. 7. 1998, p. 23. Supplementary answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 April 2000) 1. In connection with the Community fund for tobacco research and information, set up pursuant to Article 13 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco (1), the Commission issued two invitations to submit proposals (on 1 July 1994 and 30 April 1996) covering both the fields for which the fund was set up: information and research. On the research side, the first invitation resulted in three projects being selected for a Community contribution of € 5,9 million, the second in six projects being selected for a Community contribution of € 6,5 million. C 26 E/24 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 26. 1. 2001 On the information side, the first invitation resulted in eleven projects being selected for a Community contribution of € 5,5 million, the second in seven projects being selected for a Community contribution of € 7,9 million. None of the projects submitted in response to the above invitations for proposals has been carried out entirely in Greece. 2. As regards the deduction in favour of the fund for the 1999 harvest, the Commission would point out to the Honourable Member that Council Regulation (EC) No 1636/98 of 20 July 1998 ü which amends Article 13 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 ü stipulates the deduction to be made and applies as from the 1999 harvest. Consequently, there is not a regulatory void with regard to implement- ing the deduction provision. (1) OJ L 215, 30. 7. 1992. (2001/C 26 E/028) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0255/00 by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 February 2000) Subject: McDonald report What assessment has Commissioner Kinnock made of the McDonald report, as referred to in the Sunday Times of 3 October 1999, in formulating his reforms relating to the Commission, with particular reference to (a) the allegations of fraud (b) the working mentality and has any Communities money funded the research? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (22 March 2000) The work to which the Honourable Member refers was done as a follow-up to a similar investigation on the same matter in 1993, in order to evaluate whether, and how far, the intervening enlargement or other events had altered the perceptions of Commission staff about their employer, about their own roles, and about those of their colleagues. Assessments of that kind can obviously contribute usefully to reflections on how to manage recruitment from future new Member States, or to making productive changes in personnel policy. The general conclusion from Dr McDonald was that there had been little change that was specific to Commission employees because most alterations in such perceptions are largely attributable to broad societal changes, for example on the duties of employers, the status of women in the workplace, and social norms. However, the work was taken into account in the compilation of the White Paper on Reforming the Commissioní (1). One example concerns staff motivation or working mentality, an issue which the Honourable Member explicitly addressed in his question. The emphasis put on merit-based promotion and on improved management is, among other changes, specifically related to efforts to recognise meritorious performance and to achieve conditions similar to those recommended by Dr McDonald. The áallegations of fraudí to which the Honourable Member refers in his question were described by the Sunday Times as ádark but often unsubstantiatedí. Where allegations are made and suspicions are supported by reasonable evidence, they are invariably subject to proper investigation and proceedings. Dr McDonald worked under contract and was paid accordingly by the Commission. (1) COM(2000) 10 final