94/815/EG: Entscheidung der Kommission vom 30. November 1994 in einem Verfahren nach Artikel 85 EG-Vertrag (Sache IV/33.126 und 33.322 - Zement)

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ous European Countries." Im Originaltext: "We know of the meeting held in Luxembourg between you and italian cement industries. In this occasion some proposals have been made which will be valüd and on which it will be necessary to go back on the occasion of the next meeting. Of course, as you are informed of the italian cement industries' involvement in this suspension of the withdrawals, as per contact agreed upon at that time, it is necessary that they are present from now in every circumstance which concerns this pursuit of a mutually interest solution. Please inform us when you think that Mr. Canellopoulos will be available to meet Mr. Giampiero Pesenti, meeting which could be held whether in Athens or eventually in Rome." Im Originaltext: "As you know, the suspension of the withdrawals of cement has been determined by an agreement reached with the major italian cement producers (Italcementi - Unicem Cementir). And as on the ground of this agreement, italian cement producers will saddle themselves with charges, and consequently also with those eventual and relative to the suspension of our agreement, it is necessary their presence at each negotiation, as the decision need their full assent. This and not other is the exact reason for which Mr. Ing. Giampiero Pesenti, Dr. D'Agostino, Dr. Ing. Testore, Dr. Ing. Olivero and Dr. Carella have contacted you on the occasion of the recent meeting of the cement producers held in Luxembourg. We don't hide that we are surprised of your requests, expressed after the meeting above-mentioned, as the news transmitted to us directly from the persons which have met you, are quite reassuring towards an agreement of mutual interest which should expand to a larger range of interests. Considering the previous, we communicate you: our complete availability to reach a good settlement of the arisen controversy. A qualified delegation of the italian cement should be present to the negotiations. To make the conclusion of the negotiations easier, in our opinion, it would be very useful that Mr. Dr. Canellopoulos and Mr. Dr. Ing. Giampiero Pesenti could attend the meeting, as they are the two big and so they are able to take decisions on the future strategic plan too." Im Originaltext: "In data 16 luglio 1987, l'ing. Pesenti e il dr. D'Agostino della Italcementi, l'ing. Testore e il dott. Olivero dell'Unicem hanno incontrato il sig. Cannellopoulos della Titan ad Atene, su invito di quest'ultimo. A seguito di ulteriori sollecitazioni da parte greca, il Dr. Clemente della Italcementi e l'ing. Albert della Unicem hanno incontrato nel dicembre del 1987 e nei primi mesi del 1988 i sigg. Kalogeropoulos e Sevdalis della Heracles ed i sigg. Prezanis e Trifonas della Titan. L'oggetto degli incontri era sempre il medesimo: esaminare le proposte avanzate dai produttori greci, le cui minacce sleali al mercato italiano preoccupavano. In tali riunioni peraltro non si è raggiunto alcun risultato concreto." Im Originaltext: "Absorption of ,destabilizer`s tonnage' The opportunity exists in a number of markets for European Producers to arrange to place tonnage with the "destabilizing" Cement Industry. For example: USA - 1st priority (1) Blü Circle Atlantic could offer 500,000 tons cement (2) Holderbank/Dundee could offer 50/60,000 tons clinker (3) Lafarge/General could offer ? (4) Cementa/Norcem could offer ? (5) Other Companies/Importers could offer ? West Africa France perhaps could arrange to place . . . tonnes in the following territories: (a) (b) (c) (d)." Im Originaltext: "5. Our willingneß to work to a mutually acceptable solution is preconditioned by: a) no further shipments of Greek cement into Western Europe either direct to end users or through traders/shipowners etc. b) a collective agreement is reached with the Greek cement industry and not individual members." Im Originaltext: "4.1. No agreement has been reached with the Greek companies. They have not even been in contact with each other the last month¡ Reasons for failure are primar(e)ly price (USD 1 - 2/ton difference) and the question whom is taking care of Bouri U.K. However, BCI has started taking deliveries from Greece to U.S. already (first vessel completed discharging Boston 20.000 ton, second loading shortly for Baltimore 25.000 ton). Price; 1st shipment USD 29, - FOB and 2nd USD 27, -. They will continü take shipments September-October. Lafarge has bought one cargo from Titan for Montreal and second cargo will be taken in September. Holderbank has also agreed to buy (not signed yet) 90.000 tons from Titan. One shipment 7.000 tons has been taken. Furthermore they have bought 100.000 tons from Heracles, whereof 40.000 has been delivered. Bloom is involved in the last deal as he unloads the vessels in Mississipi and distributes it to Dundees market. Holderbank has also bought 50.000 tons clinker from Titan at a price of UDS 19,80 FOB. 25.000 tons already delivered, all above for U.S. markets. In summary, although we have not agreed with the greeks on a take-off agreement, some members, in my opinion, have put us in a rather weak position in negotiations. It was agreed, after a long discussion, that a sub group shall investigate what companies can deliver ASTM type II cement now and in the near future. Furthermore, BCI shall resume talks with Titan and try to find a solution with them in order put some pressure on Heracles." Im Originaltext: "In recent weeks Blü Circle, Holderbank and Lafarge have all started absorbing some Greek cement or clinker, primarly from Titan, in their US and Canadian operations in good faith to keep the door open with the Greeks." Im Originaltext: "Simultaneously however, the possibility of accepting a take-off-agreement for a higher tonnage, say 2/3 million tonnes or lower tonnage at a premium price should be considered further. It was eventually agreed that negotiations should continü." Im Originaltext: "Greek exports - tonnages and contracts with Task Force Members 1987." Im Orignialtext: "Concept arrived at MJH/Presanis - 16.6.1986 1. Blü Circle sells 300 000 tons GDR cement to Bouri for Egypt at $ 10 FOB. 2. Titan/Heracles sell 500 000 tons cement to BC Atlantic at $ 25 FOB Type II - $ 27 FOB Type II AASHTO. 3. We use Titan 25.000 ton vessel "Ionian Carrier" at $ 7,50 freight. 4. Blü Circle purchases 100 000 tons BS12 clinker from Titan/Heracles for Magheramorne at $ 21,50 FOB - estimated freight 4 000 ton vessel $ 12. 5. Blü Circle charters Bouri terminal - say $ 2 million; either hold idle on berth at Tilbury or operate as BCC terminal and close Wouldham. Notes a. Deal is for 1 year while we look for longer term solution with Greek industry and BCC slims itself down. b. Prices are tentative - subject to negotiation. If achieved BCI should not have additional cash outlay beyond GDR commitment and Rugby and RTZ still pay their proportion of nett loß, i.e. $ 5 per ton. c. Magheramorne is outside the CPA, Greek clinker is within the EEC, GDR is still subject of antidumping action. d. Achieving an effective agreement with the Europeans has a 50:50 chance. It could restrict BCI's freedom of action in the future - there could be a price to pay later for co-operation now. e. A deal structured this way should not breach EEC, FTC or antitrust regulations. g. Bouri will be more expensive to remove once he starts selling." Im Originaltext: "This scheme has been agreed in principle with the Greeks but is contingent upon, as is Scheme A, reaching agreement with Bouri." "Blü Circle, as the largest of the United Kingdom producers, was inclined in former years to adopt a somewhat paternalistic stance. On occasion it took certain actions (fighting the dumping cases against the Eastern European producers, for example) which it perceived to be not only in its own interest but also in the wider interest of the United Kingdom cement industry. On an ex post facto basis Blü Circle occasionally sought to recoup a proportion of its costs in relation to these exercises from the other United Kingdom producers - with a limited degree of succeß as the documents which the Commission relies upon attest." (Erwiderung auf die Beschwerdepunkte, Ziff. 4.224). Im Originaltext: "I pointed out to Hewitt that much of what he said was irrelevant since we were discussing costs incurred by BC in the period 1983-1986 and nothing had removed RTZ's obligation to stand its corner. Furthermore, Rugby had contributed and it was even more unreasonable, therefore, for RTZ to take no responsibility for what had been done." Im Originaltext: "Titan. They were pleased with their contact with Blü Circle and particularly Philip Hawkesworth. Ivan Tryfonas commented that with kindsight he believes that common sense is beginning to prevail, certainly in Titan. They respect the way we have dealt with them in the USA and feel that their supplying Northern Ireland is not as emotive as to the mainland." Im Originaltext: "Ciments grecs - Préférant au Benelux les importations de clinker à celles de ciment parce qu'elles ne confèrent aucune possibilité d'influence sur le marché, Mr. Celis, avec l'accord de la CEE, a conclu un accord d'importation de clinker en provenance de la Grèce. Ce clinker sera utilisé dans les salles de mouture des Pays-Bas et en Belgique. Par l'intermédiaire de la société madrilène Humar (société de trading international) Mr. Celis va établir un contrat portant sur l'importation de clinker grec, moyennant que la Grèce limite les exportations de ciment vers le Benelux. La durée de ce contrat est fixée à 2 ans et portera sur 280.000 tonnes soit 1,65% de notre consommation. Le prix d'achat FOB Grèce est de 29,5 $ auquel s'ajoutent les frais de transport et de déchargement. Le Président remercie Mr. Celis pour avoir négocié brillamment ce contrat et avoir abouti à un résultat très positif." Im Originaltext: ". . . se caractérise par de nombreuses ratures, des contradictions internes (il est tour à tour question d'un contrat conclu et à conclure) et d'erreurs indubitables. Ainsi il y est indiqué que l'achat de clinker grec se fait avec "l'accord de la CEE"." Im Originaltext: "Europe: achat clinker. Etant donné la croissance inattendü de la consommation de ciment dans notre marché naturel (fin avril 1988 : + 32% par rapport à 1987 contre prévision de statu quo) et les contrats d'exportation de clinker et de ciment conclus au début de l'année dans le but d'éviter l'arrêt des fours pour excès de stock, il y a actuellement risque d'une légère pénurie. Monsieur Celis a négocié avec la société UMAR (société de trading international) la possibilité pour CBR et ENCI de s'approvisionner en clinker étranger par contrat unitaire de 25 000 tonnes. Cette possibilité pourra s'étendre sur une période de 2 ans et demi jusqu'à concurrence de 240 Kt, soit 3,2% des besoins en clinker de CBR et ENCI et 2,5% des livraisons totales de ciment. Le prix d'achat sera d'environ 48 dollars/tonne livrée à Rotterdam ou Anvers. Ce clinker sera utilisé directement dans les salles de mouture de Rozenburg, Gand ou Ijmuiden. Le prix de revient total du clinker voie humide dans le groupe CBR-EUR est de 42 dollars/tonne stock usine de clinker. Le prix sera libellé et payé en ECU. Le Président remercie Monsieur Celis pour cette réaction rapide et le résultat positif de la négociation." Im Originaltext: "Enfin, en achetant du clinker auprès des producteurs grecs, CBR espérait réduire l'intérêt que pouvait avoir pour ceux-ci l'importation de ciment en Belgique." Im Originaltext: "In years gone by, Cembureau ran a European Export Committee under its own wing, but with the advent of the Common Market and its clear distaste for cartels of any sort, Cembureau eventually abandoned its unwanted child, and European Cooperation in cement exports was left to an informal initiative from outside. This Michäl Chapman took up, and in 1972 we saw the formation of the so-called "London Club", which had its origins in a very small informal grouping of exporters who had been meeting for some years under Michäl's guidance." Im Originaltext: "1. That the Export General Committee and the Export Working Committee are merged into one Committee, which should meet about four times a year. This Committee to be open to Cembureau members actively interested in the Export trade to non-Cembureau countries. This Committee to be called the European Cement Export Committee, its object to be the promotion of export and the exchange of commercial information . . . The larger exporters will continü to meet together from time to time and their views on commercial matters will be shared with the other members of the European Cement Export Committee through their representatives on this Committee." "It should be understood that the name ECMEC has no legal significance. It is merely a convenient term for an organisation which provides independent secretarial services . . . Neither agreement between ECMEC and the two Committees for the provisions of secretarial services was embodied in written contracts." "Subject: EPC - Andrew Gac. As you are aware, our American lawyers have insisted that we divorce ourselves from all association with the Cembureau (sic!) Export Policy Committee and the European Cement Exporters Committee and, indeed, Jim McColgan has resigned from the above committees. They also require us to cease supporting these committees on any way and to cease having any association in employment terms with Andrew Gac. Can you please advise me of the precise nature, if any, of our current relationship with Andrew. If there is such a relationship it should be terminated forthwith including any agreement to re-employ him in the future." Im Originaltext: "Le Président donne lecture d'une lettre adreßée par M. Meric concernant la non-participation des Ciments Français aux réunions du ECEC. M. Clemente prend note mais rappelle que ce sont les pays qui sont membres du ECEC et qui constitünt à leur gré leur représentation au niveau des syndicats ou des sociétés." Im Originaltext: "Les plus grands exportateurs continüront à se réunir de temps à autre et leurs points de vü sur les problèmes commerciaux seront partagés avec les autres membres de European Cement Export Committee à travers leurs représentants dans ce Comité." Der Kommission liegen die Statistiken für 1985 bis 1989 (Dok. 33126/16790-16824, 12544-12557, 12706, 12707, 12708, 3410, 3411, 3412), für 1982-83 (Dok. 33126/14027, 14028, 14029) und für die Jahre 1983, 1984 und 1985 (Dok. 33126/14245-14249, 14295-14298) sowie eine Gesamtübersicht mit sechs Aufstellungen für die Jahre 1975 bis 1986 (Dok. 33126/12721-12728) und 1975 bis 1988 (Dok. 33126/3422-3433) vor. Der Kommission liegen sämtliche Sitzungsniederschriften für die Jahre 1986 bis 1989 (Dok. 33126/12558-12674) und ausserdem die Niederschriften von den Sitzungen vom 14. 3. 1984 (Dok. 33126/14257-14262), 11. 9. 1984 (Dok. 33126/14303-14309), 14. 12. 1984 (Dok. 33126/14311-14316), 21. 2. 1985 (Dok. 33126/14300, 14301), 22. 3. 1985 (Dok. 33126/14289-14294) und 11. 9. 1985 (Dok. 33126/6139-6142) vor. Im Originaltext: "Les réunions du ECEC sont utiles en ce qu'elles permettent des communications informelles entre les représentants des sociétés cimentières exportatrices. Toutefois, on doit constater l'échec de la politique de concertation entre les exportateurs de Cembureau en vü d'enrayer la dégradation des prix provoquée par une offre supérieure à la demande. On peut craindre que les sociétés poßédant des usines au bord de l'eau et capables d'effectür des chargements en vrac (clinker et ciment), sur de gros navires avec un coût minimum d'approche, n'éliminent par le prix les petites exportateurs moins favorisés par la situation géographique." "Nel 1989 il Regno Unito avrà bisogno di 2 milioni di tonn. di cemento e clinker d'importazione; se fossimo autorizzati ad agire come Intertrading potremmo cercare di inserirci nelle forniture, per esempio con prodotto iugoslavo." Im Originaltext: "The idea behind this Policy Committee was that member companies would be represented at Chief Executive level, thereby, it was hoped, making it possible to establish policies which would lead to a stronger market and hence better prices for all. Foremost in people's minds, of course, was the thought that at Chief Executive level it might be possible to take such weighty decisions as holding back sizeable tonnages from the market in order to keep supply in line with demand." Im Originaltext: "C'est un Club informel qui est au ciment blanc ce que le Policy est au gris." Im Originaltext: "C'est un club: objet: protection des marchés intérieurs - règle: chacun respecte ses marchés intérieurs et exporte ses surproductions dans un consensus général." In ihrer Erwiderung auf die Mitteilung der Beschwerdepunkte, Seite 127, macht Ciments Français geltend, daß Herr Dupuis zum Zeitpunkt der Abfassung des Vermerks (7.3.1989) keine eingehende Kenntnis der verschiedenen Komitees besaß, da er die Verkaufsabteilung erst im Januar 1988 übernommen hatte. Die Behauptungen von ECMEC zielen in die gleiche Richtung und stützen sich auf eine Erklärung von Herrn Dupuis vom 12.2.1992 in Verbindung mit der Erwiderung auf die Mitteilung der Beschwerdepunkte. Bezueglich dieser Behauptungen ist jedoch an die damaligen Vorgänge zu erinnern: der Vorgesetzte von Herrn Dupuis (und Adressat des Vermerks), Herr Meric, teilte diese Einschätzung offenbar nicht, da er das Schreiben, für das Herr Dupuis ihm in der Anlage zu besagtem Vermerk einen Entwurf vorgelegt hatte, der sich auf die von Herrn Dupuis im gleichen Vermerk gegebene Lageeinschätzung stützte, tatsächlich an den ECEC-Vorsitzenden abschickte (siehe Dok. 33126/18217). Ausserdem waren die Vertreter von Ciments Français im EPC und im White Cement Committee dieselben Personen (siehe Vermerk vom 6.3.1989), die den Leiter der Verkaufsabteilung folglich in voller Sachkenntnis unterrichten konnten. Im Originaltext: "Probably the greatest advantage that individual members obtain from their membership is to establish and develop close personal contacts. The role of the meetings is to provide the formal structure around which such relationships may blossom." Dem Schreiben vom 30.3.1990 (Dok. 33126/16766-16777) zufolge hat Herr Gac nur die EPC-Dokumente vom 1.1.1987 bis zur Auflösung des EPC am 19.5.1989 aufbewahrt. In den handschriftlichen Notizen über die letzte EPC-Sitzung am 19.5.1989 (Dok. 33126/12820-12823) wird unter anderem über folgende Gespräche berichtet: "Minutes and Statistics. Gordon, EPC records? Files? Legal advice on records. No reference to the past." In der offiziellen Niederschrift (Dok. 33126/12824-12825) ist von diesen Gesprächen keine Spur zu finden. Laut Herrn Gac (Dok. 33126/16775) ist auszuschließen, daß sich die bei den Nachprüfungen gesuchten und nicht aufgefundenen Dokumente in den Händen von Dr. Gordon Marshall befinden. In ihrer Erwiderung auf die Mitteilung der Beschwerdepunkte, Anlage 2, S. 4, erklärt ECMEC-EPC ergänzend, daß keine rechtliche Verpflichtung bestand, die Dokumente betreffend die Zeit vor 1987 aufzubewahren, und daß ECMEC am 19.5.1989 von einer bevorstehenden Nachprüfung in seinen Büroräumen nichts wusste. Die Kommission bestreitet diese Behauptungen nicht, doch ist darauf hinzuweisen, daß der 19.5.1989 nach dem Datum der ersten Nachprüfungen der Kommission (25.4.1989) liegt. Im Originaltext: "PS. I also enclose a copy of the draft Minutes for BCC's information only, which includes the discussion on matters normally not within the EPC remit, which might be of interest to you." Im Originaltext: "?The following concerns intra-European busineß and I am not sure it should be included in our Minutes? A Norwegian shipping company, PF Bassö, have started buying bagged cement in West Germany and Holland to supply the Stavanger market. It is understood that it is their ultimate intention to establish a bulk importing terminal in Norway. The UK market is under pressure from Spanish suppliers. Mr Manglano assured delegates that neither Valenciana nor Cementos del Mar are involved in any UK trade." Im Originaltext: "To etablish the seriousneß of the threat that Spanish bulk will be supplied to the Bouri terminal in England." Im Originaltext: "The continuing decline in volume of busineß as well as intra-European friction produced by the Greek intention to export into West European markets, suggest that there is no further benefit in continuing EPC under the present agreement." Im Originaltext: "The particular problem, to which we are somewhat reluctant to addreß ourselves is overcapacity in Western Europe, and increasingly, in other parts of the world. Our difficulties lie in formulation of the question, for while the problem looms over the horizon of our domestic markets, it is not tangible enough to become a subject of lively discussion." Im Originaltext: Bourie. Their financial troubles seem to get worse with suppliers withdrawing from Algeria because they have not paid them since October 1986. Titan have withdrawn from Bourie in the UK but have taken over from the Germans in supplies to Lagan (Northern Ireland). A second ship is on its way from Heracles to Bourie in the UK. Rumours regarding Bourie looking at both France and Spain abound and other traders are interested as well but not necessarily with Greek cement. The French particularly asked for details of people and companies involved in trading in the UK as they feel they are going through a similar experience to the one we had nearly two years ago. Titan. They were pleased with their contact with Blü Circle and particularly Philip Hawkesworth. Ivan Tryfonas commented that with hindsight he believes that common sense is beginning to prevail, certainly in Titan. They respect the way we have dealt with them in the USA and feel that their supplying Northern Ireland is not as emotive as to the mainland. Meanwhile the Heracles management are under pressure not only from their Government but also from the "conservative" preß who criticise everything they do as being inefficient socialist management." Im Originaltext: "General Market Conditions. There was a brief discussion of the world market situation and its trends. In most West European countries the domestic demand was high, and in some cases led to considerable imports to meet the shortfall in local production. For example, UK imported over 1 million tonnes of cement and clinker and will require something in the order of 2 million tonnes in 1989. Subsequently one of the leading manufacturers is restarting old kilns expecting to produce 300 000 tonnes. Greek domestic demand rose by 8% in 1988 and should stay at that level in 1989. The domestic price remains modest. Halkis has reduced its capacity by 1 million tonnes but even that is not sufficient to ensure the viability of the company. Spain is under increasing pressure from the importers. In particular, Catalonia is a growing market but some 50% of the increase in demand is taken up by importers." Im Originaltext: "I confirm that the contents of this document [referred to in point 16, page 40 of the SO] . . . do not relate to matters discussed at any EPC meeting save for the paragraphs headed Summary and Turkey and Freight. The document was prepared by me solely as a briefing paper to Board Colleagues within Blü Circle. It was not prepared by me in my capacity as chairman of EPC. It was not an EPC document. It was not circulated to any other EPC members nor to the EPC Secretary. It was circulated only to addressees within Blü Circle." "c) Price levels will be established and maintained for all terminal