flandersfocus on THE DUTCH SPEAKING PART OF press review weekly, does not appear in July • number 2 • 11 January – 17 January 2003

INTRODUCTION fla r la ndr Jobcard for Flemish su e • s f n 17 December the Fed- u o c c o u eral Parliament’s Trade f s O

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u bill on the introduction of a a • it guarantees school-leavers below the age of 25 who have been unemployed f o s k

for six months a month’s practical training with an employer u fixed book price. The bill, which was tabled by the Greens (Agalev, Ecolo), the Francophone Social- ists (PS) and the Christian Democrats, headed for etween 2000 and 2002 the number PETER RASKING • HET NIEUWSBLAD • an overwhelming majority in the Parliament, be- B of unemployed young people aged 17 JANUARY cause only the Flemish Liberals were strongly below 25 in rose by 32% to against it. Supporters argue that a fixed price will 58,000, while total unemployment What is striking is that the rise can also benefit smaller, independent bookshops and al- only rose by 17%. Today they represent be seen among the highly qualified. In low the decrease in the diversity of book titles to 23% of all unemployed. Flemish Em- October 2000, 2,322 university gradu- be stopped. They see the larger book chains (Standaard Boekhandel and Fnac) and depart- ployment Minister Landuyt concludes ates below the age of 25 were unem- ment stores, which give discounts and are main- that they are the first victims of the eco- ployed. In October 2002 this figure was ly interested in offering a smaller range of best- nomic malaise. He does not want to 3,382, an increase of 46%. In addition sellers, as the main villains of the piece. The launch new job plans, but does feel that to structural measures, such as the Flemish Liberals announced they would vote the existing policy, with its first-time first-time jobs and integration via against the bill, not only through their liberal jobs, training and work experience pro- temping work, economic measures are aversion to price agreements, but also out of a fear that a fixed book price will make books more jects, must concentrate on young peo- now being introduced to tackle the expensive. Although the SP.A voted in favour of ple. For the 4,500 school-leavers who sharp rise. The JOB card is a striking the fixed book price on the 17 December, the have already been without a job for six new addition. It guarantees school- party recently announced, entirely unexpectedly, months he is launching the job card leavers below the age of 25 who have that it would vote against it. According to SP.A (FF). been unemployed for six months a Chairman Janssens (De Standaard, 17 January), a month’s practical training with an em- fixed price does not so much disadvantage less well-off readers as those who are less well-edu- ployer. As compensation, the employer cated culturally, who mainly read bestsellers and receives a saving of up to 45% of the never visit bookshops. According to former Cul- CONTENTS wage bill from the government. Renaat ture Minister, Bert Anciaux, who it should be not- Landuyt: ‘These are not artificial new ed is going to the elections on a joint list with the Politics jobs. The starting point is a genuine va- SP.A, the SP.A is erring. In his view a fixed book 18 May: what will the next cancy. We are encouraging businesses price contributes to the wealth of titles and the government look like? 2 to give priority to young school-leavers chances of survival of independent book shops. He is supported in his criticism by the association Leo Goovaerts resigns from the VLD 2 when recruiting. We estimate that this of the book trade, boek.be, which suspects elec- will give some 4,500 young people a toral opportunism in the SP.A’s change of course Environment chance on the shop floor. If companies (De Morgen, 14 January) and by the employers’ Noise pollution: Dua wants rid of abuse this system we will remove them federation, Unizo. Janssens does not deny that federal airport agreement 3 from the list and they will lose their the independent book shops are going through wage bill benefits.’ difficult times, but wants to develop other in- Mobility struments to support them. Despite the opposi- Dedecker’s campaign against road tion of Flemish Liberals and Socialists, the bill ap- safety act diverted 4 pears to be heading for a changing majority with the support of the opposition, although the vote on 16 January has been postponed. After all, the Economy Francophone Liberals are prepared to approve Textile group Sofitex bankrupt 5 the bill, but have submitted an amendment. Telenet increases cable TV They want an exception to be made for comic subscription 5 strips. Meanwhile, Janssens is encountering op- Koramic sells roof tiles division 6 position not only from his alliance partners but also from within his party. Many mandataries are Justice: Genocide act amended 7 hoping that the party leaders will use the post- ponement of the vote to adjust their standpoint Culture: decree must keep art (De Morgen, 16 January). collections in Flanders 7 Frank Vandecaveye | editor in chief

focus on FLANDERS •11 January -17 January 2003 • Number 2 2 POLITICS

ELECTIONS PARTIES

18 May: what will the next Leo Goovaerts resigns government look like? from the VLD

A coalition between liberals and christian democrats ll is not well with the VLD in the is given little chance A run-up to the elections. The party is not only having to deal with loners such as senator Jean-Marie Dedecker, it here is already plenty of specula- Opinion is also having to suffer yet again the T tion in the press about the possible negative publicity of a former senator coalition that will take over the helm RIK VAN CAUWELAERT • KNACK • who claims he still has a score to settle after 18 May. Premier Verhofstadt 15 JANUARY with his party. Leo Goovaerts says he is (VLD) has no intention of basing the resigning from the party off his own bat elections on a chancellor’s duel be- With the direction indicated by De and wants to participate in the elec- tween himself and CD&V Chairman Gucht the only choice open to the VLD tions with a ‘genuine Flemish, Liberal Stefaan De Clerck, as his party Chair- is to continue the current Purple-Green and Democratic party’. On 13 January man Karel De Gucht announced some coalition. At least if the voter leaves Goovaerts was brought before the par- weeks ago at a VLD conference. The this option open and if the Socialists do ty’s Statutory Committee following a Premier wants the present coalition to not admit to their increasing aversion complaint by VLD Chairman Karel De continue, ‘if the voter allows’. But if to their Liberal partners. Should the Gucht (FF). Purple-Green I was centred on the ac- participation of the CD&V in the next tive welfare state, Purple-Green II will government still become an option, MARK DEWEERDT • DE FINANCIEEL- be centred on ‘the responsible welfare then several elements are stacked ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 14 JANUARY state’, with the emphasis on the ethics against the Flemish Christian Democ- of ‘rights and duties’. That is under- rats. To begin with, the Royal en- In connection with De Gucht’s com- standable, says De Morgen (11 Janu- tourage, which has a firm finger in the plaint, Goovaerts explained to the ary). The economic adagio to activate pie during the information round, will Statutory Committee why in his eyes the welfare state – by allowing more not allow an asymmetrical govern- the VLD no longer complied with the people, mainly the over-55s, back into ment (different coalitions in Flanders contract that was concluded in 1992, work – has failed. With the current poor and Francophone Belgium, ed). This is when the party was formed, with the economic climate it no longer appears because, they argue, such asymmetry members of the PVV (the VLD’s prede- viable to activate the welfare state at means the end of Federal Belgium, be- cessor) and why the party was not ful- all. Voices within the CD&V are call- cause then the centrifugal forces al- filling various points of 1992’s Declara- ing for a coalition with the VLD. Better ready emanating from communities tion of Principles. He confirmed he to join a coalition with Verhofstadt as and regions will become even greater. would be setting up a new party based Prime Minister than remain in opposi- The CD&V can no longer guarantee on the original VLD manifesto and re- tion for another four years, says the that the Federal government will re- turned his party card to the Statutory éminence grise of the CD&V, Mark main symmetrical because its Fran- Committee. By resigning himself, Eyskens. cophone counterpart, the CDH, no Goovaerts anticipated his expected ex- In Het Laatste Nieuws (14 January) he longer has any political relevance. And clusion from the VLD. This was also is therefore calling on dissatisfied VLD then there is the confederal position of announced later on the same day by voters to vote CD&V at the elections, the CD&V of Stefaan De Clerck. If po- Party Chairman Karel de Gucht. just this once. It is the only way to force litical lightweights within the VLD Later on Goovaerts reiterated that he a VLD-CD&V government, he claims. such as Jean-Marie Dedecker or Vin- would take part in the Senate elections cent Van Quickenborne extol the on 18 May with a ‘genuine Flemish, For VLD Chairman Karel De Gucht the virtues of confederalism, it will make Liberal and Democratic party’. In the main objective is still for the VLD to little impression in Laken. Even though course of the week he will hold a meet- remain the biggest party in Flanders. De because the influence of the court has ing with several dozen sympathisers Gucht says frankly in Knack (15 Janu- refused to lie down during Verhof- from across Flanders. No decision has ary) that he feels there is very little stadt’s period of office. But if Luc yet been taken as to the submission of chance of forming a government with Vanden Brande (former Flemish Minis- Chamber lists. the CD&V if CD&V Chairman Stefaan ter-President) starts talking of confed- Whether Euro-MP Ward Beysen signs De Clerck, just like Cardinal Danneels, eralism on behalf of the CD&V, then up to Goovaerts’ project will become continues to support the policy of the shutters will be lowered in Laken. clear after Sunday. Beysen has said that Catholic hospitals – which, it should be They know that he still means it. Con- on Sunday he will give a clearer indica- noted, are financed publicly – to impose sequently, every effort will be made tion of his political future. ‘If Ward Bey- their philosophical convictions in con- there to keep the CD&V out of the next sen sees his political future outside the nection with abortion and euthanasia government. VLD, we must sit down round the table, on their patients and doctors. As far as as it would be senseless to set up two Knack is concerned, a CD&V/VLD new Liberal parties,’ claims Goovaerts. coalition is almost out of the question (FF).

focus on FLANDERS •11 January -17 January 2003 • Number 2 ENVIRONMENT 3

NOISE POLLUTION The number of night flights is falling each year. ‘Larger machines have re- Dua wants rid of federal placed smaller ones, which allows us to carry more freight and serve two desti- airport agreement nations at once’, according to Commer- cial Director Xavier De Buck of DHL according to the minister, there is only one solution, Belgium. In the UK, Spain and Italy, namely to spread the flights in all directions three smaller sorting centres were built, taking some pressure off the DHL hub in , and all flights less than lemish Environment Minister Vera via negotiations with the courier firm 350 km were scrapped. These journeys F Dua (Agalev) no longer believes in DHL, which makes 50 flights a night. are currently made by lorries. Getting the Federal Airport Agreement. The However, according to DHL that is im- rid of night flights at Zaventem would concentration of night flights is creat- possible. Without night flights we will be a disaster for DHL. ‘Our service ing more and more noise pollution have no other option but to move to stands or falls by night flights. The cus- above the Flemish northern edge of Bierset, Cologne or Paris, says the tomer wants to send his packages and Brussels. The starting points of the American courier firm. The Flemish mail as late as possible and see them agreement: fewer people affected, no Socialists are against a ban on night reach their destination as quickly as new people affected and no extra noise flights. They fear a new social drama, possible,’ says De Buck. According to pollution for those who already suffer since night activities provide around DHL, the night flights are also neces- from it, are good, but unrealistic, she 4,000 to 5,000 mainly semi- and un- sary to remain competitive. De Buck: feels. Even if the flights are divided be- skilled jobs ( FF). ‘Federal Express operates at night from tween a northern and an eastern corri- Paris. TNT flies out of Liège and is en- dor, they cannot be achieved. Accord- GEERT SCIOT • DE MORGEN • couraged to do so by the local airport, ing to her, there is only one solution, 14 JANUARY and UPS is active in Cologne.’ namely to spread the flights in all direc- The loudest aircraft, the Boeing 727s, tions. Flanders must not be the only More than twenty years ago DHL set up are now gradually being removed from one to put up with noise pollution, shop in Zaventem and built a major the fleet. By the end of March no more Brussels and Wallonia have to as well, sorting centre close by the departures 727s will call at Zaventem, resulting in she believes. In other words, Brussels terminal. The firm also set up a Belgian 40% less noise pollution. In addition to has to abandon its much stricter noise airline, European Air Transport. It is on the 2,200 people at the airport, DHL standards, otherwise Dua is threaten- those aircraft that the packages and also employs a further 900 in its Belgian ing to introduce the same strict stan- items of mail arrive and depart again. courier activity. In addition, the group dards in Flanders and that means night By night the firm is all but inactive. recently set up its worldwide headquar- flights will no longer be possible. She Only after 10 p.m. do the more than ters in Diegem (near Zaventem). This also has a big stick: the environmental 2,000 employees get to work. The first employs a further 400 people. licence for BIAC, the airport operator, aircraft are not long in landing, and A few weeks ago DHL became the prop- also contains noise standards. If mea- from 3 a.m. the planes take off one after erty of Deutsche Post, which is merging surements show that BIAC is failing to the other. Of the 750 tonnes of ‘courier with Danzas, the world’s largest freight keep to the standards, the Flemish Gov- freight’, less than 50 tonnes is sent to or group. This merger will create a multi- ernment can force the airport operator from Belgium. The vast majority of national with a turnover of 21 billion to ground a number of aircraft. Dua is items are only flown to Zaventem at euros. The economic interest in the hoping that BIAC is prepared to keep night to be transferred from one aircraft night flights dossier is therefore consid- part of the night free from noise pollu- to another and then carried on to al- erable. tion. With her firm standpoint Dua is most all European Member States. Two also diametrically opposed to her Feder- aircraft come from the US, one from the al colleague for transport in the Federal Middle East. Government, Isabelle Durant, likewise a Green Minister, but from the Fran- cophone sister party, Ecolo. Durant wants to preserve the existing airport agreement and in so doing protect the mainly Francophone residents of Brus- sels from more noise pollution. Mean- FLANDERS INLAND SHIPPING: EVOLUTION OF TONKILOMETRES 1993-2002 (X 1000,000) while the residents of the northern dis- trict, united in the action group 3,000 Daedalus, have lost their first battle 2,750 with the courts. The judge dismissed their call for the concentration of night 2,500 flights to be reduced on certain routes. 2,250 According to the judge, their interests 2,000 are outweighed by those of the Belgian State and the airport. 1,750 The Mayor of Vilvoorde, Jean-Luc De- 1,500 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 haene (CD&V), earlier proposed intro-

ducing a period of rest during the night SOURCE: SHIPPING SERVICE

focus on FLANDERS •11 January -17 January 2003 • Number 2 4 MOBILITY

ROAD SAFETY mans had also pulled out of the cam- paign. She felt exploited by the ‘disgust- Dedecker’s campaign ing campaign’ and spoke of ‘shocking comments’ by her colleagues at last against road safety act week’s press conference. De Lier Events Alderman Walter Grootaers (VLD) felt diverted it was normal to drive at 211 kph ‘be- cause there are no children playing on Iin the end the vld senator was given a choice: the motorway at night’. For Margriet stop the campaign or get out Hermans the whole affair has turned ‘into a blunder which she can no longer support’. otorists are depicted as criminals had distanced herself from the cam- The VLD is going to have to accept the M and the super-fines in the new paign and said she felt she had been ex- consequences of the conflict. Various Road Safety Act are far too high and ploited by the campaigners (FF). political parties denounced the ‘café at- therefore anti-social. That is the crux of mosphere’ among the Liberals, where the argument of SOS Chauffeur, a cam- BART BRINCKMAN • DE STANDAARD • almost everyone was able to express a paign launched on 8 January by VLD 14 JANUARY different opinion. Even the presence of Senator Jean-Marie De Decker with a Luc Beaucourt, the doctor who has press conference and what many see as In a year, VLD Senator Jean-Marie made it his goal in life to reduce week- a tasteless poster showing a coin being Dedecker seriously affected VLD end accidents, in this same VLD was pushed into a bare backside and the slo- Chairman De Gucht’s nerves. After his cause for hilarity. gan (‘Are traffic fines used to plug the visit to the cell of Marc Dutroux and hole in the Treasury?’). Dedecker was comments on RTBf on the republican able to rouse the interest of other well- conviction of De Gucht, his campaign Opinion known TV Flemings of a VLD persua- SOS Chauffeurs is once again causing sion such as Walter Grootaers and Mar- the Chairman considerable embarrass- BART STURTEWAGEN • DE STANDAARD • griet Hermans in his campaign. But ment. And De Gucht does not trust the 14 JANUARY before he could hold his press confer- populist approach of the former judo ence, he had to have a short meeting coach. Yesterday, Jean-Marie Dedeck- For a politician such as Dedecker the with Prime minister Verhofstadt. After er’s defenders were nowhere to be seen party is merely a casual vehicle that all, the VLD is behind the new Road during the meeting of the executive. can be exchanged for another at any Safety Act, and that is true of all VLD The Senator himself was far away in time. He is the owner of his own votes. mandataries, was the message Dedeck- Hanoi. But Premier Guy Verhofstadt These votes go with him, wherever he er was given at the meeting. Dedecker himself informed him of the party lead- goes. Votes the party cannot take away therefore openly promised his support ers’ decision. Dedecker is to be given from him and which otherwise may for the new Act, but did not initially one more chance. In the meantime he well end up largely outside the democ- feel that this was a reason to stop his should immediately distance himself ratic camp. He knows that and the par- campaign. To begin with, the VLD offi- from the contested campaign. ty knows it too. cially distanced itself from the cam- So it was. In a press release Dedecker The freelancer can only maintain his paign, but did not ban it. Chairman ‘recognised’ that he ‘no longer imag- electoral capital by kicking up a fuss. Karel De Gucht felt it was in bad taste, ined that the campaign had been hung He targets recognition and acknowl- but Dedecker pressed on. up on public opinion’. The Senator had edgment among a public that does not His campaign triggered a wave of also understood that the new Road hold politics in particularly high es- protest from almost all other parties, Safety Act was not intended to immedi- teem and sympathises with anti-intel- but also from organisations such as ately impose super-fines. He undertook lectual swagger. It is therefore an un- ‘Ouders van verongelukte kinderen’ to argue in favour of ‘realistic penalties’ comfortable marriage of convenience (‘Parents of children involved in acci- during the Senate debate on the Act. that reels structurally from crisis to cri- dents’). Meanwhile, Flemish MP Margriet Her- sis. SP.A member Daan Schalck organised a counter-campaign and also rallied a number of well-known TV Flemings around him. The main driving force be- hind the new Road Safety Act, Trans- port Minister Steve Stevaert (SP.A), is accusing Dedecker of having destroyed DIAMOND TRADE ROSE BY 14% IN 2002 the painstakingly created basis for do- ing something about the road safety CUT DIAMONDS carat dollar % carat % dollar problem with his campaign. At the export 9.2 million 6.4 billion +9% +10% weekend Premier Verhofstadt asked import 9.1 million 5.6 billion +7% +10% Dedecker to withdraw his campaign. On 11 January the campaign was dis- ROUGH DIAMONDS carat dollar % carat % dollar cussed in detail by the VLD leaders and export 175 million 7.0 billion +21% +21% in the end Dedecker was given a choice: import 176 million 7.2 billion +15% +16% stop the campaign or get out.

Earlier, Flemish MP Margriet Hermans SOURCE: RUG-PDH

focus on FLANDERS •11 January -17 January 2003 • Number 2 ECONOMY 5

COMPANIES of the Kortrijk bar. As administrators, these have to realise the company’s as- Court declares textile group sets. Because Sofitex constitutes a sin- gle economic entity (despite the nine Sofitex bankrupt subsidiaries), the question is whether the large number of administrators can Court choses a rigorous interpretation of the law guarantee that the company will be governing judicial settlements sold in its entirety. The spinning mill is expected to have the least potential for the future. Since time immemorial Sof- fter two periods of judicial settle- De Standaard. Kortrijk Commercial itex (formerly Sofinal-Cotesa), Concor- Ament, the West Flanders textile Court appears to have chosen a rigorous dia Textiles and Uco Leon Declercq company Sofitex was given the coup de interpretation of the law governing ju- have been the three main lining grâce on 14 January. Kortrijk Commer- dicial settlements. Sofitex, once the weavers in Belgium. In recent years, all cial Court declared the company bank- largest lining weaver in Western Eu- three companies have gone through a rupt. Judge Van Iseghem was not pre- rope, has met an inglorious end (FF). considerable process of adjustment be- pared to grant a new request for judicial cause their major customers - the cloth- settlement. According to him, the ap- PASCAL DENDOOVEN • DE STANDAARD • ing trade - relocated to the Far East. plication was only made to avoid bank- 15 JANUARY For Sofitex, which for a long time was ruptcy and ‘have the last death throes of plagued by family feuds, the turnabout the company financed by its creditors’. The case of Sofitex points to a break- came too late. In 1990 the company be- The Court appointed thirteen adminis- down in communication between com- came the potential target of Japanese trators, whose job it is to find potential pany and court. This breakdown in groups, which at the time wanted to buyers for the nine companies of the communication was highlighted when pay 5 billion old BEF for a 50% interest group. They promptly made 380 em- the company began to dispute the costs in the group. Benoît Devos, who ran the ployees redundant. Only the 100 mem- incurred by ‘the auditors for retracting company with his brother, Bernard De- bers of staff of Van Marcke NV, the only the suspension (CIOs)’. Also, the Court vos, was against a (partial) sale and profitable company, are being allowed did not believe the company had a bought his brother out. Thereafter, to keep their jobs. Back on 31 Decem- chance of recovery. According to the things went downhill for Sofinal-Cote- ber things were not looking good for auditor’s figures, Sofitex had a particu- sa. Sofitex. Then the judicial settlement larly bad December. According to the granted to the group was terminated af- company, confidence in the group had ter a spirited discussion about the been undermined by the request by the group’s cash flow. Nor do jobs seem to CIOs to revoke the judicial settlement. have played any major role in the grant- In any event, Sofitex’s bankruptcy rep- ing of the judicial settlement, claims resents quite a job for thirteen solicitors

MEDIA was himself chairman of the pure inter- Telenet increases price communal company Interelectra for of cable television subscription eight years, which involves only Lim- burg municipalities. ‘Telenet is justify- ing its price increase with the argument he Flemish telecommunications inghe. As a consolation prize, the view- that it has to make one-off investments T company Telenet, which last year er is getting two extra channels: Car- to adapt their infrastructure. I worked bought out ten Flemish mixed cable toon Network and TCM. Deputy Min- my fingers to the bone to push through companies (in which participated mu- ister-President Steve Stevaert (SP.A) is the abolition of the TV and radio li- nicipalities and the private company up in arms over Telenet’s policy (FF). cence fee and now they’re knocking 20 Electrabel), has again been heavily crit- euros off. I’ve always argued strongly icised. The company, which has since FRANK DEREYMAEKER/STEVEN SOMERS • against the sale of the cable companies. held the monopoly of TV cable distrib- HET LAATSTE NIEUWS • 16 JANUARY The ten mixed cable companies have ution across most of Flanders, coolly still not received their money, because announced that it was increasing the According to Sickinghe, the increase Telenet is saddled with a mountain of charges for cable TV this year by 26% has to be viewed in context. ‘A local su- debt. A service such as cable TV can’t in two stages. Last year the company permarket puts its prices up each year, be given to a private company as a mo- did the same thing with its Internet we are doing it for the first time in nine nopoly. Either you make sure that the charges and telephone charges. As a re- years.’ Sickinghe attributes the change customers can choose between differ- sult, the one-and-a-half million sub- in charges to the sale of the ten mixed ent companies or the government has scribers of Telenet subsidiary MixtICS intercommunal distribution compa- to take charge of such a basic service it- will have to pay significantly more to nies. ‘Those distribution companies self. The advantage of that is that the watch TV than subscribers of the pure employed a completely different pric- revenue finds its way back into the mu- communal cable companies (Interelec- ing policy. Their rates had to be brought nicipal treasury.’ tra, Integan, WVEM, etc). Telenet into line.’ wants to use the revenue from the price Flemish Deputy Minister-President Table, see page 6 increase to modernise its cable net- Steve Stevaert has reacted with indig- work, according to boss, Duco Sick- nation at the price increase. Stevaert www.telenet.be

focus on FLANDERS •11 January -17 January 2003 • Number 2 6 ECONOMY

COMPANIES into an Austro-Flemish building mate- rials group with a European presence. Koramic sells Dumolin has not been able to fulfil his ambition. The economic climate and roof tiles division Koramic’s share price were against him, and at the moment of truth the Christian Dumolin, Koramic’s boss, has thus abandoned banks backed down. The experience of his ambition to take over Wienerberger the former West Flanders family busi- ness is not unique. Not a single Flemish company from the golden class of com- he West Flanders building materi- Wienerberger the umbilical cord hasn’t panies that floated on the stock ex- T als group, Koramic, is selling its been cut and we’re continuing to follow change in the 1990s has managed to roof tiles division, Koramic Roofing, to Wienerberger’s strategy.’ take on a European dimension. The the Austrian building materials group, Dumolin admits that it was not the ide- very low score is not down to a lack of Wienerberger. Seven years ago Koramic al time to sell. ‘But Koramic got a good ambition. However, a number of com- also sold its bricks division, Terca, to price.’ Dumolin wants to use part of the panies have developed into European Wienerberger. In exchange the group money from the sale to reduce their or world market leaders, but these are gained a controlling interest of 25.1% debts. The other part will be used to in- niche players. Many companies have in Wienerberger. Now there is just 20% vest in the ‘new’ Koramic. ‘Eventually also fallen into foreign hands. There left. Koramic Roofing has 13 factories, 2 we will evolve into a financial industri- are very few successors around who are of which are in Belgium (Aalbeke and al group with interests in several com- willing to try the same. The economy is Moeskroen). In 2001 its sales amounted panies. We are still in concrete, but in a deadlock, the stock market cli- to 250 million euros. Wienerberger is there is a chance that we’ll also seek a mate is not friendly towards entrepre- paying 211.5 million euros for 50% of partner.’ Koramic had a satisfactory neurs and the banks are doing all they the division. Initially, therefore, Ko- year last year. In the first six months it can to limit their financial risk by re- ramic Roofing will remain a joint ven- achieved a net profit of 2.2 million eu- fusing or calling in loans. Consequent- ture between Koramic and Wienerberg- ros. The second half of the year was bet- ly, the banks are not exactly falling er. In a second phase (after three years), ter operationally, but Dumolin is afraid over themselves to lend money to en- Koramic will sell the remaining 50%. that the cost of closing the inundated trepreneurs. Koramic is to retain its concrete divi- factory in Dresden (around 12 million sion, Koramic concrete, which has a euros) will adversely affect the net re- www.koramic.be turnover of 205 million euros, and its sult. floor and wall tiles division, Koramic Finishing (turnover: 100 million euros). Over time Koramic wants to cut its par- Opinion ticipation in Wienerberger to 10%. Christian Dumolin, Koramic’s boss, ERIK DE LEYE • DE FINANCIEEL- has thus abandoned his ambition to ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 11 JANUARY take over Wienerberger. Austrian law obliged him to take over the full 100%. Christian Dumolin had intended This required 750 million euros. Nei- merging Koramic with Wienerberger ther appeared it any longer viable to fi- nance the growth of the roof tiles divi- TELENET sion via the banks. He therefore decided to sell it (FF). TELENET TELENET CUSTOMERS turnover in 2002: 246 million euro (+38%) cable telephone: 212,000 (+3%) cash flow in 2002: 45 million euro, sufficient internet cable connections: 303,000 MARC DE ROO • DE FINANCIEEL- (market coverage of 55% in flanders ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 11 JANUARY for investments of 130 million euro in 2003 staff: 1,156 employees cable tv: 1,56 million Dumolin denies that he is selling the PRICE OF A CABLE SUBSCRIPTION IN FLANDERS roof tiles division under pressure from the banks. ‘I assume the banks would interelectra 115,28 euro like us to reduce our debt of 500 million euros. But I wasn’t forced to sell. I re- alised that Koramic didn’t have the re- wvem 121,91 euro sources to allow the roof tiles division to grow. Terca’s contribution to integan 127,78 euro Wienerberger had been successful, so I only wanted to sell Koramic Roofing to telenet 138,06 euro Wienerberger. I wanted to avoid the same thing happening to Koramic Roof- pbe 115,59 euro ing as happened to the Desimpel group, which completely fell apart after being havi-tv 121,91 euro sold to the British Hanson and ended up being partly owned by us. Because we intend retaining at least 10% in SOURCE: HET LAATSTE NIEUWS

focus on FLANDERS •11 January -17 January 2003 • Number 2 JUSTICE AND CULTURE 7

CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY with genocide, crimes against humani- ty and war crimes, came into being in Genocide act amended The Hague on 1 July 2002. The legisla- tor had to take this into account, says The Federal Public Prosecutor will decide whether accusations of crimes Wouters. ‘Otherwise you could have against humanity are justified or merely politically inspired imagined a situation in which everyone continued to refer cases to Belgian courts. These might then have been he Belgian Genocide Act is inter- BART BEIRLANT • DE STANDAARD • seen as a sort of ‘court of first instance’ T nationally renowned and feared. 15 JANUARY by the International Criminal Court.’ The Act gives Belgian courts universal The senators who had tabled two bills power to prosecute perpetrators of ‘This is a balanced compromise that on 17 July last year to save the Geno- crimes against humanity. But the 28 largely retains the system but still in- cide Act had perhaps been thinking of genocide dossiers currently before the troduces filters for situations that have victims in countries that did not ratify Brussels courts have been blocked no point of contact with Belgium.’ This the Treaty establishing the Internation- since the Brussels Court Indictment is how Jan Wouters, Professor of Inter- al Criminal Court - such as the US, Chi- Division (Kamer van Inbeschuldiging- national Law at KU , describes na and Israel. They are still going stelling, KI) declared the prosecutions the compromise that Premier Guy Ver- nowhere. ‘The senators had formed the against Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon hofstadt reached with senators yester- idea that the Genocide Act should still and former Congolese Foreign Affairs day on the Genocide Act. Wouters first serve as a safety net for the holes in the Minister Yerodia inadmissible. Accord- pointed out that it was important that international system. They wanted to ing to the KI, the suspects must be on current proceedings from before 1 July keep pure universal jurisprudence in Belgian territory and that is not the 2002 were not jeopardised. Among oth- the Genocide Act for crimes commit- case. Premier Verhofstadt has now ers, the case against the murder of ten ted in countries that did not ratify the reached an agreement with the senators Belgian paras in Rwanda in 1994 risked Treaty establishing the Criminal of the Purple-Green majority on the having to be stopped after several rul- Court. That has now been scrapped,’ amendment of the Act in question. The ings given by the Court Indictment Di- Wouters points out. Probably this (the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office will vison (Kamer van Inbeschuldiging- scrapping, ed.) happened under pressure decide whether accusations of crimes stelling, KI) last year. Consequently the from Foreign Affairs. against humanity are justified or mere- end almost seemed near, for example, ly politically inspired. In the latter case, for the investigations into the murder www.belgium.be the Public Prosecutor can dismiss the of Belgian fathers Walter Voordeckers complaint. What is new is that the ac- and Serge Berten in Guatemala at the cusers can then lodge an appeal with beginning of the 1980s. This could not the Court Indictment Division. For the be defended politically by this govern- existing dossiers the condition of pres- ment. ence on Belgian territory does not apply But in addition the International Crim- to the Genocide Act (FF). inal Court, which has power to deal

CULTURAL POLICY

these top pieces out of Flanders will Decree must keep valuable have to obtain the government’s ap- proval. If the export is refused the own- art collections in Flanders er may still ask that Flanders itself pur- chases the work. A Top Pieces Fund anyone who wants to export an art collection will require will be set up to finance the scheme. the approval of the Flemish Government The sum of 2.5 million euros has provi- sionally been set aside. By opting for this formula of purchase by the govern- n 2000 the Flemish Government and one who wants to export an art collec- ment the purpose of the Decree is to re- I the cultural sector as a whole had to tion will require the approval of the spect the rights of the owner and those watch helplessly as four paintings by Flemish Government. If the Govern- of the community and prevent illegal 17th century painter Joachim De ment does not give its consent, then the exports. A Council of Experts will be Beuckelaer were sold abroad. The own- owner of the work may ask it to make set up to advise the government. er had lent the paintings to the Ghent an offer to purchase the collection (FF). University Ufsia and the Museum of Fine Art, but when he Rubenianum, the centre for research wanted to sell them, there did not ap- ERIC RINCKHOUT • DE MORGEN • into 17th century art in Antwerp, have pear to be enough money available in 16 JANUARY recently completed an investigation Flanders to buy them. The paintings are into the criteria that will be used to de- now hanging in London’s National A list will shortly be drawn up of con- termine which objects or collections Gallery. The then Culture Minister, crete works that the Flemish Commu- are ‘top pieces’. Bert Anciaux (Spirit), promptly an- nity feels should remain in Flanders be- nounced a ‘Top Pieces Decree’. This cause of their archaeological, historical, was approved by the Flemish Parlia- cultural-historical, artistic or scientific ment on 15 January. Henceforth, any- significance. Anyone wanting to take

focus on FLANDERS •11 January -17 January 2003 • Number 2 8 CULTURE

• 27 January: Trio Fontenay with com- lic) exhibition, Museum Dr. Guislain, positions by Chostakovitsch, Ghent; Diary Roslavets and Tchaikovsky, De info: wwwmuseumdrguislain.be Singel, Antwerp; info: 03/248.28.28 09/216.35.95 www.desingel.be • Until 16 February: The gardens of the MUSIC, DANCE THEATRE • 27 January: Recital Dietrich Hen- Alhambra, exhibition with Pedro Gar- schel with Mahler and Schumann, ciaras, Maria Teresa Martin Vivalid, • Until 31 January: Arabian Heights, Flanders Opera, Ghent; Paco Lagares, José Maria Sicilia and multicultural festival, Borgerhout, info: www.vlaamseopera.be Soledad Sevilla, , Jan De Antwerp; info: 03/235.04.90 www.rata- • 29 January: Alban Berg Quartett, Vlieger, Jan Van Mechelen, Museum of planvzw.be PSK, Brussels; info: 02/507.82.00 Modern Art, Ostend; • 18 to 26 January: World Folk Festival • 30 and 31 January, 1 February: info: 059/50.81.18 with The Levellers, Rag Foundation, Parrots & Guinea Pigs, , • Until 16 March: Roman Juwels, Stacey Earle, Nickel Creek, Heather De Vooruit, Ghent; info: 09/267.24.24 Provincial Gallo-Roman Museum, Myles etc, De Handelsbeurs, Ghent; www.vooruit.be Tongeren; info: 012/67.03.55 info: 09/265.91.65 www.handels- • 31 January to 14 February: Werther • Until 31 August: The big Sexperi- beurs.be by Jules Massenet, conductor: Patrick ment, scientific exhibition, Technopo- • 23 January: Staatskapelle Berlin con- Fournillier; Flanders Opera, Antwerp; lis, Mechelen; info: 015/34.20.00 ducted by Daniel Barenboim, PSK, info: www.vlaamseopera.be • Until 23 February: From Bakelite to Brussels; info: 02/507.82.00 • 1 February: Flemish Radio Orchestra Composite, exhibition, Museum of • 23, 24 and 25 January: Random conducted by Youri Levi, Symphony nr Design, Ghent, info: 09/267.99.99 scream, Fading fast, Davis Freeman 6 by Mahler, Bijloke, Ghent; • Until 29 June: Music Planet; one and Lilia Mestre in a mix of dance, info: www.bijloke.be century of pop music in an exhibition, theatre and plastic arts, Kaaitheater- • 2 February: Eva Zylka, Eric Baeten, Brewery Belle Vue, Molenbeek; studio’s, Brussels; info: 02/201.59.59 Daniel Schmitt and Ilja Laporev, info: www.euroculture.be www.kaaitheater.be string quartets by van Beethoven and 02/513/29/84 • 25 January: Dejan Lazic, composi- Schubert, Chambermusic Het Elzen- • Until 9 March: Who’s sweet, gets tions by Chopin; De Bijloke, Ghent; veld, Antwerp; info: 03/.213.54.15 sweets, exhibition KMSK and City info: 09/233.68.78 www.debijloke.be www.defilharmonie.be Library, Antwerp; • 23 January: Christiane Oelze (sopra- • 2 February: Billy Bragg, Ancienne • Until 6 April: Maria Magdalena, sin- no) and Eric Schneider (piano), Lieder Belgique, Brussels; info: 02/548.24.24 ner from the Middle Ages until today, by Schönberg, A. Mahler-Werfel and www.abconcerts.be exhibition, Museum of Fine Arts, Wagner, De Singel, Antwerp; • 3 and 4 February: Van Morrison, Ghent; info: 09/222.17.03 info: 03/248.28.28 www.desingel.be Koningin Elisabethzaal, Antwerp; • Until 16 February: Beaches and • 24 January: Philharmonia Orchestra info: 0900/260.60 glances, a photo exhibition about London conducted by Lorin Maazel, • 4 February: Beth Gibbons & Rustin Ostend, Venetiaanse Gaanderijen, Concertgebouw, Bruges; Man, Ancienne Belgique, Brussels; Ostend; info: 059/56.20.15 info: 070/22.33.02 info: 02/548.24.24 www.abconcerts.be • Until 23 February: ‘First Marriage’ by • 24 January to 2 February: Eine Flo- Suchan Kinoshita, exhibition and pro- rentiniche tragödie & der Zwerg by jects by Gert Robijns, Joël Audebert, Alexander von Zemlinsky, conductor: Nathalie Brevet and Hughes Rochette Markus Stenz, Regie: Andreas EXPO (Fr), MUHKA, Antwerp; info: Homoki, De Munt, Brussels; info: 03/238.59.60 • Until 16 February: The Gardens of 070/23.39.39 www.demunt.be • Until 16 February: Selection 1/Back- e Granada (photography and art) and • Until 26 January: 17 Festival du film stage, Fashion exhibition, Antwerp ceramics by Claudi Casanovas (Catalo- gay et lesbien, Botanique, Brussels; Modemuseum (MoMu), Antwerp; nia), exhibitions PMMK, Ostend; info: 0474/47.38.11 info: 03/470.27.71 www. momu.be info: 059/50.81.18 www.pmmk.be • 25 january: Yellowman, VK, Brussels; • Until 2 February: Gaude succurere • Until 30 March: Synesthetics - Pop & info: 02/414.29.07 vitae, exhibition: drawings and films Art in Belgium, pop music and visual • 28 and 29 January: 22 bld Lafayette by Jan Fabre, SMAK, Ghent; arts, De Garage, Mechelen; by Samir Akika, dance & video, De info: 09/221.17.03 www.smak.be info: 015/29.40.00 www.cultuur- Vooruit, Ghent; info: 09/267.24.24 • Until 30 March: Twins, (the fascina- centrummechelen.be www.vooruit.be tion by scientists, artists and the pub- • 25 January: Tirana, Greek-albanian polyphonic singers, Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp; info: www.zuiderpershuis.be la flan ur dre s • s f u o c c o u f s

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k Cauwelaert (director Knack), Koen Clement (Man- u • Responsible editor: aging director, De Morgen), Frans Crols (Director, Luc Demeester, Marke Trends), Francis Decoster (Information Officer, • Subscription rate by post and e-mail: 220 euro Flemish Community), Mark Deweerdt (Journalist, Focus on Flanders provides a weekly • Either transfer the sum to account no.: Financieel-Economische Tijd), Michael Stabenow 472-1010001-19 with the KBC in Roeselare overview of articles from the Flemish press (Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), Or give us the number and expiry date of your cred- Luc Standaert (Journalist, Belang van Limburg), Jan and appears in English, French and German. it card (Visa/Eurocard): Van Doren (Deputy Director, Vlaams Economisch This newsletter is published Telephone: 051/42.42.99 Verbond), Bernard Bulcke (De Standaard) Fax: 051/40.11.52 • With thanks to: Concentra nv, De Vlijt nv, de by Uitgeverij Lannoo nv, E-mail: [email protected] Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij nv, De Persgroep Kasteelstraat 97, 8700 Tielt nv, Uitgeversbedrijf Tijd nv and Roularta Media and can also be obtained Group nv and their editorial teams for supplying the articles. by e-mail.

focus on FLANDERS •11 January -17 January 2003 • Number 2