91996E2408

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2408/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (11 September 1996)

Subject: The required renovation of Paramaribo

Has the Commission received reports concerning the disastrous fire that destroyed the Suriname parliament building?

Is the Commission aware that the wooden parliament building was one of the most beautiful old buildings in the capital, Paramaribo, and that, together with many other wooden buildings, it formed part of the cultural heritage of Suriname?

Is the Commission aware that many other wooden buildings are also in an advanced state of disrepair and, in the long term, will have to be regarded as being lost for ever unless they are renovated promptly?

Does the Commission realize that the renovation and reconstruction of Paramaribo could provide a large number of jobs in a city which has a high rate of unemployment and that, in this way, the city could become more attractive as regards tourism, a sector which could also provide the required jobs?

How much money does Suriname receive annually from the development aid resources earmarked for the ACP States, and is it possible, should the Suriname Government so wish, to allocate some of that money to the reconstruction of the Suriname parliament building and the renovation of Paramaribo?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (15 October 1996)

The Commission is aware of the fire that destroyed, on 1 August 1996, the historic buildings housing the National assembly and the ministry of foreign affairs in Suriname's capital Paramaribo. The Commission understands that following the fire, the Netherlands has written to the government of Suriname to indicate that it is prepared to finance the reconstruction of the National assembly and foreign affairs buildings. The Dutch government has already been involved in the rehabilitation of other historic buildings such as the presidential palace and fort Zeelandia.

As far as Community aid is concerned, Suriname has received in the last five years 27 MECU under the first financial protocol of the Lomé IV Convention. Discussions will begin in the near future with the government of Suriname on the priorities for the programmable resources available to Suriname as national indicative programme under the Lomé IV second financial protocol. Whilst not wishing to prejudge the outcome of these discussions, and taking into account the willingness of the Netherlands to participate in the reconstruction of the buildings, it would appear unlikely that the rehabilitation of historic buildings will be identified as a focal sector for future European development fund support.