WRITTEN QUESTION E-0048/98 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Aid for the peace process in Guatemala

In the year that has elapsed since the signing of the peace agreements between the Guatemalan Government and the U.R.N.G., how much aid has the European Union contributed towards the implementation of these agreements?

Is EU aid dependent on certain provisions of the peace agreements being fulfilled?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0048/98 and E-0049/98 given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (18 February 1998)

Through its office in Guatemala the Commission, throughout 1997, closely monitored the implementation by the Guatemalan Government of the undertakings in the part agreements. Its assessment largely agrees with the recent (23 December 1997) one by the Heads of Mission tasked with monitoring the peace process in Guatemala.

While acknowledging that achievements to date have been satisfactory, the Commission agrees with the view expressed by the Heads of Mission: 1998 will be a crucial year. Sensitive subjects, such as the purchase of land and its distribution to the groups named in the agreements, the fairness and effectiveness of the tax system, the administration of justice, the increase in social expenditure, and the establishment of a national land registry will provide the Government with a difficult set of tests of its ability to address the country's structural problems.

Under the joint declaration regarding the translation into action of the European Union's contribution to the peace process in Guatemala the Commission made a big contribution in 1997 to the implementation of the peace agreements. Action related, in particular, to the demobilisation and reintegration into productive life of former URNG (Guatemalan Revolutionary National Unity Movement) fighters (the following have been or are being implemented: heading B7-210, Humanitarian and Emergency Projects (ECHO) and B7-217: six projects totalling ECU 3 440 000; heading B7-6410 Rehabilitation: one project worth ECU 950 000, of which the following have been committed: B7-6410 Rehabilitation: one project worth ECU 5 million for permanent reintegration of former URNG fighters); establishment of a national land registry (approval of a pilot project worth ECU 990 000); aid for setting up a civilian national police force (PNC) (approval of a major aid project, amounting to ECU 31.73 million, to train PNC members, supply of equipment, rehabilitation of the police training school, and the building of small-scale infrastructure (police stations) in various departments of the country) and aid for strengthening local government (approval of an initial pilot project: ECU 940 000).

Altogether, Community cooperation in 1997 linked directly with the implementation of the peace agreement amounted to ECU 43 million; total cooperation spending (under all financial instruments) amounted to ECU 63 million.

Financial aid from the Community is subject to the general requirement for compliance with the spirit of the peace agreements. This requirement has, of course, to be applied by constantly assessing that there is a sufficiently strong political will to carry out the various undertakings given while taking account of the difficulties which may hamper their implementation.