91998E3932

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3932/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: The rearmament of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa has just announced a broad programme of rearmament, including the purchase of warships, fighter aircraft, tanks, cannon and other heavy and light artillery from various European firms, in addition to the creation of jobs in the South African arms industry, which grew substantially as a result of the embargo during the apartheid era.

Can the Commission say:

1. what the total cost of these purchases was, stating which countries and firms benefited and what the repercussions on employment were in both South Africa and Europe;

2. whether there is any external threat to South Africa which might justify this operation;

3. what the likely impact of this expenditure will be on the current negotiations for an economic agreement between the EU and South Africa and what the overall effect is on its new status as Member State of the Lomé Convention?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 1999)

The Commission was not consulted, informed or otherwise involved in the program of arm's procurement of South Africa. It is however aware of South African press statements on this issue.

The Commission is not in a position, nor is it within its role, to assess the need to modernise South Africa's security and defense systems as decided by the South African government.

The Commission does not see any direct link between the South African decision referred to and the negotiations between the Community and South Africa or South Africa's new status as a Member State of the Lomé Convention.