92001E0655

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0655/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 March 2001)

Subject: German chemical weapons in Turkey

In December 1999, the German Defence Ministry admitted that it was prepared to help with the construction of a military chemicals laboratory in Turkey. The project would have a purely defensive function. However, the German TV programme Kennzeichen D (broadcast by the second public channel ZDF) has quoted military sources which claim that, on 11 May 1999, the Turkish army used chemical weapons against the Kurdish PKK movement. Research carried out by the University of Munich shows that the heads for the chemical shells used by the Turkish army were supplied by two German companies, Buck and Depyfag. It is now fourteen months since questions were tabled to the Commission about these two issues. In its answer to Written Question E-3876/00(1), the Commission stated that the implementation (of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000(2)) was the responsibility of the Member States. According to Commissioner Patten, it was, therefore, the task of the Member State in which the exporter had his/her registered office to take a decision on requests for authorisation and to ensure the execution thereof.

There is nothing in that answer to suggest that there is any obstacle to the Commission taking an initiative under Article 22 of the EU Treaty. On the contrary, Article 22 lays down expressly that Any Member State or the Commission may refer to the Council any question relating to the common foreign and security policy and may submit proposals to the Council.

1. Will the Commission submit proposals to the Council pursuant to Article 22 of the EU Treaty in order to secure information from the University of Munich on the German provenance (Buck and Depyfag) of the mortar heads used by the Turkish army in a chemical weapons attack on the Kurdish PKK movement on 11 May 1999? If not, why would the Commission refuse to submit a proposal in accordance with Article 22 of the EU Treaty?

2. Will the Commission submit proposals to the Council pursuant to Article 22 of the EU Treaty in order to secure information from the German Defence Ministry about that Ministry's help with the construction of a military chemicals laboratory in Turkey? If not, why would the Commission refuse to submit a proposal in accordance with Article 22 of the EU Treaty?

(1) See p. 75.

(2) OJ L 159, 30.6.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-3876/00(1).

That answer is still valid.

(1) See p. 75.