Strasbourg, 04/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - During Wednesday's plenary debate on the European Summits of Brussels and Gent (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.4), all MEPs acknowledged the fact that the fight against terrorism would be a lengthy task, a task that would involve not only the western world but humanity as a whole. One of the values shared by all the peoples of the world, including the Muslim world, is that of individual integrity, said British Conservative Edward McMillan-Scott. Regarding the means of action, he considers that one should "not take in haste steps which might go too far" and that it would be better to choose "renewable temporary measures". Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the EPP/ED Group, requested that, even if one wants to secure Russia's support in the fight against terrorism, one should not lessen criticism towards Moscow for its policy in Chechnya, and defend the right of all peoples to their identity. One should not encourage State terrorism, added Olivier Dupuis, from the Bonino List, who called for vigilance to be kept up on violations of human rights in Russia and China. Many MEPs insist on the fact that the fight against terrorism should not be detrimental to freedom. This was notably so for Enrique Baron (who calls on the Gent Summit to take into consideration the need to strengthen the economic capacity of the Union countries in the face of the crisis, mainly through the setting in place of an anti-cyclical policy). A delicate balance between security and freedom must be constantly sought, noted the Chairman of the Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Graham Watson (British Liberal Democrat), who called for the third pillar to be brought under Community competence. This is also the position held by the co-president of the Greens/EFA, Paul Lannoye, who said that the terrorist networks should be starved of their means of action. He urged for the banking secret and for tax havens to be phased out over the long term. At technical level, it would also be necessary to remedy the vulnerability of technically very advanced installations (such as nuclear power plants) and to better organise the fight against chemical and germ warfare. Condemning all attempt to state the "non-existent moral superiority" of the Union countries compared to other peoples, Giuseppe Di Lello (Rifondazione comunista) made it clear that one of the issues that needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency in the current crisis is that of giving the Israelis and the Palestinians the possibility to live as two independent and sovereign States. It is difficult to fight fanaticism, noted Irish national Gerard Collins, speaking for the Union for the Europe of Nations Group. He said, however, that one could at least freeze assets and protect oneself against insider dealing. It has only now been decided to apply measures which already existed on paper, regretted German Social Democrat Klaus Hänsch, who invited the Union to go further than the fight against terrorism and engage in the creation of a world order that is more just. While approving certain measures decided at the Brussels Summit, Georges Berthu (Mouvement pour la France) expressed a certain degree of disappointment. Europe has apparently been "at the heart of the preparation of the attacks" for years, which is not by chance, he said, pointing to the freedom of movement that exists within the Union and considering that controls do not harm freedoms but do harm criminals. Millions of foreigners live here illegally, said Mr Berthu, who asked whether the countries that allow this really have control over their territory. The president of the Group for a Europe of Democracies and Diversities, Jens-Peter Bonde, was the only one to speak only of the work of the future Convention that is to prepare the next IGC, declaring that the SOS Democracy Intergroup hopes the Convention will be limited to presenting options.
Certain MEPs, in particular Mr Pöttering (who said he felt safer in Strasbourg because of the presence of the French police), insisted on improving the safety of the Parliament buildings in Brussels. Council President Louis Michel said, as he answered MEPs at the end of the debate, that he would find out about it. Regarding the danger evoked by some that "freedomcidal" provisions would be adopted following the latest attacks, Mr Michel called for moderation and gave his assurance that there will be constant assessment of the margin of manoeuvre between security and the defence of freedom.
The EP has adopted (431 votes to 45 with 24 abstentions) a resolution of the EPP-ED, PES and UEN groups exclusively on the Brussels Summit. It welcomes the conclusions reached concerning terrorism, the commitments made in favour of the peace process in the Middle East and enhanced CFSP. The plenary session strengthened the initial text by adopting the amendments by:
- Mr Baron, for the Socialist Group, which firmly rejects any opinion that proclaims the superiority of any civilisation based on a specific religion, invites Member States not to draw up legal obstacles that may compromise progress accomplished regarding mutual recognition on legal decisions, and stresses the heightened importance of holding the WTO ministerial conference in Doha, following the impact that the terrorist attacks have on the world economy.
- Messrs Watson, Maaten, Sterck and Costa, for the Liberal Group, calling on the Council to submit to Parliament, as soon as possible, the framework decisions on the European arrest warrant and on joint inquiry teams, as well as a common definition of terrorism.
- Messrs Jarzmbowski and Oostlander for the EPP-ED Group whereby the Parliament undertakes to play its role by dealing "promptly with the various legislative proposals being examined regarding air safety". The EP also counts on the "achievement of rapid progress within the Council, where one can no longer tolerate that the quarrel over the status of Gibraltar blocks certain decisions".
- Ms Hautala, Ms Maes and Mr Lannoye for the Greens/EFA, who stress that the strengthening of cooperation in the fight against terrorism must go hand in hand with strengthening of judicial and parliamentary control and the continued protection of fundamental freedoms and rights, and which calls for "common action to establish adequate control of international financial markets".