European Community

The new Delors Commission

Members of the new Commission of the European Communities met in the Palais d'Egmont on 22 December to allocate their various duties. Jacques Delors was in the chair. The 17 Commissioners, who took up their posts on 6 January, are listed, together with their functions, below.

Mr Delors, President, (France): Secretariat general, Forward Studies Unit, Inspectorate-General, Legal Service, Monetary matters, Spokesman's Service, Joint Interpreting and Conference Service, Security Office.

Mr Christophersen (Denmark): Economic and financial affairs, Monetary matters (in agreement with Mr Delors), Credit and investments, Statistical Office.

Mr Marin (Spain): Cooperation and development - economic cooperation relations with the southern Mediterranean, Middle East, Near East, Latin America and Asia; Lomonvention; European Humanitarian Relief Office.

Mr Bangemann (Germany): Industrial affairs, Information technology and telecommunications.

Sir Leon Brittan (United Kingdom): External economic affairs (North America, Japan, China, CIS, Europe, including Central and Western Europe, Commercial policy.

Mr Matutes (Spain): Energy and Euratom Supply Agency, Transport.

Mr Schmidhuber (Germany): Budgets, Financial control, Fraud control, Cohesion Fund - coordination and management

Mrs Scrivener (France): Customs and indirect taxation, Direct taxation, Consumer policy.

Mr Millan (United Kingdom): Regional policies, Relations with the Committee of the Regions.

Mr Van Miert (Belgium): Competition policy, Personnel and administration, translation and information technology.

Mr Van Den Broek (Netherlands): External political relations, Common and foreign security policy, Enlargement negotiations (Task Force).

Mr Pinheiro (Portugal): Relations with the European Parliament, Relations with the Member States (transparency, communication and information), Audiovisual and cultural affairs, Office for Official Publications.

Mr Flynn (Ireland): Social affairs and employment, Relations with the Economic and Social Committee, Questions on immigration and internal and legal affairs.

Mr Ruberti (Italy): Science, research and development, Common Research Centre, Human resources, education, training and youth.

Mr Steichen (Luxembourg): Agriculture and rural development.

Mr Paleokrassas (Greece): Environment, nuclear safety and civil protection, Fisheries policy.

Mr Vanni d'Archirafi (Italy): Institutional matters, Internal market, Financial services, Company policy - small and medium-sized enterprises, trade and craft.

EUROPEAN POLITICAL COOPERATION

3 November: Statement on Togo

The Community and its member States have been monitoring recent events in Togo closely. After a period of heightened political violence, they welcomed the extension of the transition period and the reduction in tension that this brought, in the hope that this would lead to more and more rapid progress towards democracy. They are concerned by the further postponement of elections and therefore urge all those involved to work together to overcome the remaining problems.

The Community and its Member States are deeply concerned by the recent sedge of Parliament by the Togo]ese armed forces. Such action by the military constitutes a serious threat to Togo's return to constitutional rule. While they are aware of President Eyadema's condemnation of the soldiers' actions and of the the setting up of an Investigation Commission, they are concerned that the President, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has not been able to ensure the political neutrality of his soldiers. The Community and its Member States hope the Investigation Commission will act swiftly and that President Eyadema and the Government will take appropriate disciplinary measures against those soldiers identified as responsible. Any repetition of such action by the Armed Forces would be deplorable.

The Community and its Member States again stress the need for all parties involved to facilitate the successful conclusion of Togo's return to constitutional rule. This must involve full respect for human rights and the rule of law which are necessary conditions for the continuation of their economic and development cooperation with Togo.

4 November: Statement on Angola

The Community and its Member States, recalling their statement of 22 October, express their grave concern about recent events in Angola and deplore the violence over the weekend of 31 October and I November which claimed so many lives. The Community and its Member States support the continued involvement of the United Nations in the peace process in Angola, and call on all parties to abide by SCR 785 adopted by the UN Security Council on 30 October and to respect the ceasefire negotiated through the good offices of the UN Secretary General on the night of I November. The only hope for peace in Angola is for both sides to refrain from violence and to continue to implement the peace agreements embodied in the Bicesse Accords, in particular as regards the demobilisation and confinement of their troops and collection of their weapons; the formation of the unified national armed force, and the creation of conditions allowing the holding of a second ballot in the Presidential election.

The Community and its Member States will hold responsible any party which obstructs the peace process, to which all parties have committed themselves and which has been democratically endorsed by the Angolan people.

4 November: Statement on Cameroon

The Community and its Member States welcome the holding of multiparty elections in Cameroon on 11 October as an important step in the process of democratisation. They have however noted with concern reports of irregularities in the election procedures in all regions. The Community and its Member States appeal to all the parties involved to seek to resolve differences through dialogue, avoiding any violence and safeguarding social peace. They call on all parties to refrain from action which could further increase tension, and on the authorities to ensure full support for fundamental human rights and political freedoms. The Community and its Member States will continue to follow developments in Cameroon with close attention.

17 November: Statement on Ghana

The European Community and its Member States welcome the declaration of the international electoral observer teams that the Presidential election was broadly free and fair. The election represents a major step towards the restoration of democratic government in Ghana. They also welcome the fact that election campaigning and the elections themselves were generally free from political violence. They urge all political parties to work together to ensure completion of a peaceful transition to constitutional democratic government.

30 November: Statement on South Africa

The Community and its Member States are encouraged by the intensified efforts of the parties in South Africa to give renewed momentum to negotiations designed to secure South Africa's peaceful transition. They hope that all parties will continue to play full part in the endeavours to resume multi-party constitutional talks at the earliest opportunity.

The Community and its Member States also hope that the National Peace

Committee will be given every support in its efforts to promote dialogue amongst the parties on the urgent need for effective action to curb violence in South Africa.

4 December: Statement on Zaire

The Community and its Member States have noted with grave disquiet the Presidential decrees communicated on 1 December concerning the unilateral dismissal of the transitional government.

The Community and its Member States reiterate their support for the Prime Minister elected by the Sovereign National Conference and the government which emerged from the Sovereign National Conference. The Community and its member States attach the utmost importance to the completion of the democratic process centred on the Sovereign National Conference. They condemn any initiative or act of violence which in any way impedes the non-conflictual development of this process.

7 December: Statement on Somalia

The humanitarian crisis in Somalia continues to cause the gravest concern. The increasing looting of aid supplies and obstruction to their distribution cannot be accepted.

The Community and its Member States fully support the adoption on 3 December of UNSCR 794, which constitutes an important development in international law, since it authorises the UN Secretary Geneal and Member States to cooperate to provide for a multinational force to establish a secure environment for the delivery of emergency and relief supplies. They welcome the humanitarian efforts made by the Community and its Member States and the contributions of a number of Member States to the force as a European initiative. The swift deployment of the force is vital to the success of the efforts of NGOs and international agencies to bring food to the starving in conditions of security. They attach particular importance to ensuring the safety of the personnel involved in the relief effort.

The Community and its Member States reaffirm their full support for existing UN operations and the efforts by Ambassador Kittani. They hope that the implementation of UNSCR 794 will encourage national reconciliation that will lead to a lasting political settlement.