WRITTEN QUESTION E-2678/02

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL), Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL)and Herman Schmid (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(24 September 2002)

Subject: Continuation of peaceful solutions to the long-lasting conflict in the Philippines by avoiding outlawing non-terrorist organisations

1. Does the Council recall the resolution of the European Parliament of 14 January 1999 on the human rights situation in the Philippines(1), reaffirming the resolution of 13 December 1990 in which the European Parliament encouraged and supported peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and requested the Commission and the Council to provide and facilitate support and assistance to the parties in carrying out their formal peace negotiations and in undertaking development, relief and rehabilitation programmes and projects to lay the ground for a just and lasting peace?

2. Did the Council take note of the statement of 3 September 2002 by the Negotiation Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines entitled Why the CPP and NPA are not terrorist organisations?

3. What action do you intend to take in order to avoid a situation in which the NDFP and the organisations belonging to it (the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army), or persons who have responsibilities inside the NDFP, CPP or NPA, are included on any list of terrorist organisations issued by the United Nations Organisation Sanctions Committee or the European Union, an action which could prevent a speedy and peaceful solution to this long-lasting conflict?

(1) OJ C 104, 14.4.1999, p. 116.

Reply

(18 February 2003)

1. The Council has taken note of the resolution of the European Parliament of 14 January 1999 on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

2. The Council has not discussed the statement of 3 September 2002 by the Negotiation Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines entitled Why the CPP and NPA are not terrorist organisations.

3. Following an in-depth examination of the information available in accordance with the criteria laid down in Article 1(4) of Common Position 2002/931/CFSP, the Council has decided to include the New Peoples' Army and its leader Jose Maria Sison in its latest update(1) of the list of persons or organisations to which the measures set out in Common Position 2001/931/CFSP apply.

(1) Common Position 2002/847/CFSP, OJ L 295, 30.10.2002.