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Editors:
Roy Worsley & Tim Boden
PHS 4C-87 & 85
43, rue Wiertz
B-1047 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 284 2941-3459
Fax: +32 2 284 6515
During Plenary sessions
in Strasbourg:
WIC 433/431
Avenue Robert Schuman
F-67070 Strasbourg
Tel: +33 388 17 4751-3785
Fax: +33 388 17 9355
E-mail:
presse-en@europarl.europa.eu
Company restructuring - Commission statement
Thursday 17 February - In the light of recent company restructuring with Goodyear/Dunlop
announcing the closure of its only plant in Italy without warning and the recent ABB/Alstom merger
Commissioner Erkki LIIKANEN told MEPs that the pressure of globalisation and technological
progress meant that companies should be able to take decisions such as mergers at an early stage as
possible. Without referring specifically to the companies concerned, Mr Liikanen did say that
"nothing can justify the absence of timely, effective and comprehensive information and consultation
of the workers' and employees' representatives" before restructuring moves leading to job losses were
taken. He said it was up to national courts to ensure that EU legislation providing for consultation
of the workforce was observed. He added that the Commission had put forward a proposal for a
new directive on worker information and consultation in 1998 and although approved by Parliament
had not yet been considered by Council. He hoped this debate would remind the member states of
the importance of the issue.
Xenophobia in Spain
Thursday 17 February - In this resolution the House expressed its condemnation of the "outbreak of
racism and xenophobia" in El Ejido (Andalucia, Spain) which followed the death of a Spanish
citizen on 5 February 2000. This tragedy led to a wave of indiscriminate violence and persecution
of immigrants who were held responsible for the death and other crimes.
Violence in Kosovo
Thursday 17 February - This resolution condemns strongly all violent activity being carried out in
Mitrovica (Kosovo). It also expresses grave concern over the situation of thousands of Albanian
Kosovar detainees held in Serbia and in particular the Kosovar doctor Flora Brovinawho has been
sentenced to twelve years imprisonment by the Serbian court.
Press freedom in Angola
Thursday 17 February - MEPs in this resolution urged the Angolan government to ensure that the
trial of three journalists be conducted in accordance with international standards with access afforded
to the public and international observers. The resolution refers in particular to the situation of one
of the journalists, Rafael Marques de Morais, who has been detained since last October and against
whom death threats have been made.
Native Americans in the US
Thursday 17 February - In adopting this resolution, MEPs called on the US government's law
enforcement officers to halt all harassment of the Dineh (Navajo) native American Indians who are
being forced to abandon their land in New Mexico because of mining operations. The resolution
calls on Washington to respect the land rights of the Dineh people and to delay further disruptive
action until there has been a full re-assessment of the impact of mining in the region.
Plight of Russian journalist in Chechnya
Thursday 17 February - In this resolution the House expressed its concern about the fate of the
Russian journalist Andrei Babitsky who was covering the war in Chechnya before he was supposedly
handed over by the Russian authorities to Chechen commanders in exchange for two Russian
prisoners of war. It called on the Russian and Chechen authorities for immediate clarification of Mr
Babitsky's fate and also urged Moscow to provide details of the conditions in its detention centres.
Cambodia - House urges tribunal for Khmer Rouge leaders
Thursday 17 February - This resolution supports the UN initiative to urge the Cambodian authorities
to establish a special international tribunal to prosecute former Khmer Rouge leaders
Environmental disaster in the Danube
Thursday 17 February - By adopting this resolution MEPs expressed their sympathy and support for
the countries affected by the spillage of cyanide from a gold mine in Romania which has poisoned
more than 100,000 cubic meters of water. They are urging the EU to provide aid to the countries
affected and to help in a major clean-up operation.
