WRITTEN QUESTION E-0552/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(4 March 2002)

Subject: Impact of embargo on flight safety in Iran

In recent years, a number of accidents have occurred involving Iranian airline flights, such as in May 2001 when an Iran Air Russian-built Yakovlev-40 crashed in north-east Iran and, more recently, when an Iran Air Tupolev was reported to have crashed with 117 passengers on board.

These accidents are mainly attributable to the total lack of spare parts, as a result of the US embargo, for the Boeing aircraft which the Iranian airline has and which forces it to buy technologically outdated aircraft from the countries of the former Soviet Union. It is also reported that, over the last 12 years, Iran Air has sought to buy European Airbuses but has been refused because of the embargo.

Given that the safety of Iran Air flights is directly jeopardised by the embargo, with innocent human beings the victims, will the Council say:

1. whether it can confirm the refusal to sell Airbus to Iran Air,

2. whether it feels jointly responsible for the innocent lives lost, and

3. whether it proposes to reconsider its policy forthwith?

Reply

(26 June 2002)

The issues raised by the Honourable Member do not fall within the Union's competence.