91998E3752

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3752/98

by Nelly Maes (ARE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Provocative statements in the Turkish media

Can the Commission answer a number of questions in the wake of recent disturbances in Sint-Joost-ten-Node (Belgium)?

These disturbances followed a statement by the Italian Prime Minister, Massimo d'Alema, that he would not extradite to Turkey the Kurdish PKK leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who had been detained shortly before, and that he would even give consideration to Öcalan's request for asylum - which resulted in a boycott of Italian products in Turkey.

The some day the Turkish state television indirectly called on the Turkish community in Europe to take action. One consequence of this was the serious disturbances in Sint-Joost-ten-Node: two Kurdish homes were set alight and there was destruction of property. Eyewitnesses said that the disturbances were obviously well organised, with the involvement of the Turkish extreme right-wing Grey Wolves.

What is the Commission's attitude towards this provocation in the Turkish media? Is it prepared to draw any conclusions concerning relations between the European Union and Turkey, the customs union between the two parties and Turkey's application for membership of the EU?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 1999)

The Commission is very aware of the recent demonstrations to which the Honourable Member refers and the incidents that arose from them. Belgian prosecutors have launched an investigation to determine who was responsible and what caused the incidents. That investigation is still proceeding. The Commission will await the results before considering its response.