EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

EUROPEAN FREE ALLIANCE

Brussels, December 1st, 2003

To: The Prime Minister of the Republic of Greece

Kostas Simitis

Dear Mr Simitis,

In the name of the European Free Alliance in the European Parliament, we would like to voice our concerns regarding the security measures to be taken in the context of the first Congress of the Rainbow-Vinozhito party to be held in Edessa (Voden) on December 7.

Rainbow-Vinozhito is a full member of our European political party and our representative, Mr. Bartlomiej Swiderek, will be attending the congress on our behalf, together with Mr. Nakratzas, EFA advisor for minority issues on the Balkans.

We have been informed that intimidation has occurred in the city of Edessa as recently as yesterday, where members of the extremist Greek Patriotic Front - Elliniko Patriotioko Metopo - demonstrated against the venue of the Rainbow-Vinozhito first Congress. Already some days ago the organisation had to change the dates of the congress due to strong intimidation.

Given your long and distinguished democratic background, we would like to urge you to take all necessary security measures for the congress and to ensure the security of all the participants and international guests.

We look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours sincerely,

Nelly Maes, MEP
President, European Free Alliance
Vice-president Greens/European Free Alliance group in the EP

8h154
Wiertzstraat 60
1047 Brussels
00-32-02/284.51.87
00-32-02/284.91.87
nmaes@europarl.eu.int