Index

News report : 02-09-97

News Report 68/97

News Report 68/97

Brussels, 2 September 1997

BSE: MEPs demand controls with teeth

Following the emergence of a number of meat trafficking scandals, both in the summer and more recently, the members of the temporary committee charged with the follow-up of Parliament's recommendations concerning BSE resumed their work on Monday, 1 September in Brussels. The chairman, Mrs Dagmar ROTH-BEHRENDT (PES, D), began by reiterating a list of urgent demands. Member States should clearly indicate the number of inspectors and the frequency of checks: 'This is the only way to identify the gaps in the different Member States' provisions, for instance concerning the number of inspectors'. In the case of the UK, Mrs ROTH-BEHRENDT wanted to know what quantity of meat unfit for consumption was currently in storage, and where. Information must also be supplied on the surveillance arrangements for the stored carcasses. The chairman also denounced the perverse effects of export subsidies, which, she said, tend to encourage fraud.

Many of the Members also felt that the whole 'culture of controls' stands in need of change. Fraud can only be successfully fought if the national administrations acquire the reflex of cooperating with the authorities of the neighbouring countries and informing the Commission swiftly. In a session held in camera, the Members were informed by UCLAF (the Commission's anti-fraud unit) of a number of recently-detected cases of fraud.

Further information: Etienne BASSOT, Tel.: 2844741

TOWARDS A TOTAL NUCLEAR ARMS BAN

Mr van den BIESSEN, the secretary of the International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms (IALANA), presented the consultative opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons, delivered on 8 July 1996.

In its opinion, the ICJ states that the use of nuclear weapons, or the threat to use such weapons, is contrary to international law since it implies the violation of the generally recognized principles of humanitarian law and environmental protection. It does not accept any exemption from this fundamental rule. A state that made use of its strike force would have to prove that it had done so for purely defensive reasons. Although this opinion is not binding on the international community, the speaker stressed that by confirming the interpretation of the principle of the inviolability of human rights it further ensures that the principle will be observed.

The opinion lays particular stress on Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, under which all states, whether or not they have signed the treaty, are obliged to enter into negotiations in good faith with a view to general disarmament. The speaker denounced the fact that in practice no country observes this rule, and said that IALANA was considering preparing a framework convention on nuclear weapons incorporating the content of the ICJ's opinion.

Further information: Rita CALATOZZOLO - Tel.: 284 42 70

EUROMARFOR: UP AND RUNNING
BUT NEEDS A HIGHER PROFILE

Vice-Admiral Philippe DURTESTE, commander of the French Mediterranean maritime region and also the current commander of the European Marine Force (EUROMARFOR), was invited by the Subcommittee on Security and Disarmament (chairman: Mr Jan Willem BERTENS, ELDR - NL) to give a progress report on the new force.

EUROMARFOR was created in May 1995 by four Member States (France, Italy, Spain and Portugal) under the auspices of the WEU, with the aim of strengthening the profile of the European security and defence identity. The force is primarily attached to the WEU, but may also take part in operations led by NATO, the UN or an ad hoc multinational alliance, should the four countries so decide. Under whatever circumstances, its objectives are in line with the 'Petersberg missions' (the preservation of peace, humanitarian intervention and crisis management), and may be pursued beyond the Mediterranean area.

Decisions concerning the use of the force may only be made by the four countries concerned. This year's successful exercises have demonstrated its operational capacity and flexibility of deployment (it can be mobilized in five days, and may be opened up to other countries).

A number of MEPs followed up Vice-Admiral DURTESTE's remarks, stressing the problems which could arise should EUROMARFOR be extended to take in other Member States. These could include continuity of command (with the EUROMARFOR high command being replaced every year) and increased difficulty in reaching the unanimity required to launch an operation. All regretted the fact that thanks to a lack of consensus at WEU level, this force had not been employed to intervene in Albania, despite its' being operational at the time.

Further information: Rita CALATOZZOLO - Tel.: 284 42 70; Marcella de STEPHANO, Laurent VINATIER, Nicolas FAYE : Tel. : 284 37 25


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