(2004/C 33 E/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3904/02

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 January 2003)

Subject:   Financial assistance to Rwanda and Uganda

On Tuesday, 3 December, the European Parliament's Committee on Development and Cooperation held a debate with experts on the UN report, ‘Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’. Despite the so-called withdrawal of foreign troops, the plundering of Congo's natural resources is continuing unabated. The UN panel reported the existence of a network involving senior politicians, rebel leaders and military personnel from Rwanda and Uganda. Together with Zimbabwe, they have organised matters so as to avoid losing their control over diamonds, cobalt, copper, germanium, gold, coltan and timber.

In the light of this, might it not be desirable to bring pressure to bear by making part of the aid given to these countries — which directly or indirectly benefits their governments — conditional on such criteria as the complete withdrawal of their troops from Congo, a complete cessation of support for rebel groups in Congo and practical measures by those countries to put an end to the unlawful exploitation of natural resources by civilians and military personnel from their countries in Eastern Congo?

Ought not the Commission to recommend that the Council consider ‘targeted sanctions’ against individuals and businesses that promote this trade?

What support does the Commission give to Rwanda and Uganda?

Does it include direct budget support?

If so, ought it not to be halted immediately?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2003)

The Commission has taken due note of the content of the expert panel report on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) transmitted by the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council on 15 October 2002.

The report states, notably in paragraphs 171, 172 and 173, that the UN Security Council could, if necessary, propose reductions in official development assistance in order to promote peace and good governance in the region. The report also proposes a general mechanism for implementing the reductions which would in particular be conditional on the withdrawal of foreign troops from the DRC (this has in fact already taken place). However, the report does not specifically state any other sort of corrective measures to take into consideration as regards the establishment of a mechanism for gradually reducing aid.

In resolution 1457 of 24 January 2003, the Security Council commented on the report, granting the panel a six-month extension of its mandate to allow the expert group to review relevant data and analyse the information it had already gathered in order to verify, reinforce and, where necessary, update its findings.

Because of the complexity of the issues involved, the Commission is in favour of the extension of the mandate which will help provide a clearer picture of the situation. The Commission likewise believes, if appropriate, that a Security Council resolution setting out the implementing framework of a common and concerted position by the whole international community on possible sanctions is a prerequisite for ensuring the effectiveness of such sanctions in securing the desired objectives.

In the context of the political dialogue between the Union and the ACP countries under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, the Commission strongly urges the countries cited in the report to conduct extensive investigations and take appropriate measures against their nationals, also cited, where such action is warranted by incontestable proof and objective circumstantial evidence. The Commission also notes that the UN expert group's report cites individuals and businesses from the Member States of the European Union and from other countries outside the African continent as being responsible for the pillaging of the DRC's resources.

The Commission has no specific competence for targeted sanctions against individuals and businesses. Since the sanctions against individuals and businesses referred to in the report belong to the sphere of criminal justice and/or home affairs, the Commission cannot make a formal recommendation to the Council to adopt them.

Community support for Uganda and Rwanda takes the form of project aid in the health, education, transport and local development sectors and budgetary assistance for national poverty reduction strategies devised in conjunction with the World Bank, IMF, civil society and the donor community.