91999E2693

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2693/99

by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(3 January 2000)

Subject: The Russian Federation's ultimatum to the city of Grozny

The whole world has condemned the ruthless ultimatum given by the Russian Federation's political and military authorities to the 50 000 inhabitants and the resistance groups in the city of Grozny. However, the only reactions to this ultimatum on the part of the Presidency, the High Representative for the CFSP and the Commission have been verbal condemnations and expressions of concern, warnings and the 'studying' of possible counter-measures.

The changes to the terms of the ultimatum made on 7 December by the Russian authorities do not affect the threat of extermination faced by tens of thousands of civilians because it is virtually impossible to evacuate them under the bombardments.

Does not the Council believe that actions speak louder than words and that it should suspend, temporarily but immediately, the partnership and cooperation agreements entered into with Moscow as well as any form of direct or indirect aid to the Russian Federation?

Reply

(13 March 2000)

The European Council on 10 and 11 December in Helsinki strongly condemned the intense bombardments of Chechen cities, the threat levelled at the residents of Grozny and the ultimatum set by the Russian military commanders.

In the light of the situation in Chechnya, the European Council decided that the implementation of the Common Strategy on Russia should be reviewed, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement be partly suspended and the trade provisions applied strictly. On TACIS, the European Council asked the budgetary authority to consider the transfer of some funds from TACIS to the humanitarian assistance. Moreover, financing from the budget for 2000 should be limited to priority areas, including human rights, the rule of law, support for the civil society and nuclear safety.

However, it has to be kept in mind that many of the cooperation programmes under the Common Strategy and the PCA are in the strong interest of the European Union, e.g. on nuclear safety, disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as democratic institution building and civil society.

These decisions of the European Council were notified to Russia in a letter from Prime Minister Lipponen and Secretary-General/High Representative Solana to Prime Minister Putin on 11 December. On 24 January 2000 the General Affairs Council invited the Commission to re-focus the Tacis 2000 programme on core areas directly promoting democratic values, and to transfer uncommitted balances to humanitarian assistance and promoting networking in civil society, as well as to suspend consideration of the possible extension of additional GSP preferences for Russia. It expressed its concern about the increasing number of trade disputes originating in infringements by Russia of the PCA as well as sectoral agreements and noted the Commission's intention to bring forward counter-measures against the Russian tax on exports of ferrous scrap. It invited the Commission to press ahead with similar action in other areas of EU concern.