To the attention of the Members of the Intergroup

Parliamentarians for Antiprohibitionist Action

Brussels, October 29, 1997

RE: - THE ARREST OF MR. MARCO PANNELLA

- CAMPAIGN OF "THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY" FOR THE LEGALISATION

Dear collegue, dear friends,

As you probably know, Marco Pannella was arrested last Saturday, in Rome while publicly distributing Cannabis with other militants. This action, which is part of a long series of civil disobedience actions, has brought on criminal sanctions resulting, this time in a house arrest (please find attached a document summarising the principal civil disobedience actions).

As you can imagine, this arrest incites numerous reactions. Namely, a certain number of positive engagements on behalf of Members of Parliament of different political backgrounds, to put the question of the revision of the laws on drugs on the agenda of the Italian Parliament with utmost urgency.

This is undeniably a positive sign, which now remains to be used as best possible to relaunch our common battle in favour of legalisation. To this effect we propose that you co-sign the following letter addressed to the president of the Italian Senate and Chamber of Deputies.

Always with the object of reinforcing this campaign in favour of the legalisation of drugs, we propose that you adhere to the Appeal promoted in a sense by "The Independent on Sunday". We are convinced that the adhesion of a reasonable number of us to this campaign can only be of great significance and open the path for the adhesion of national Member of Parliaments.

Best regards,

Gianfranco Dell'Alba Oliver Dupuis

PS. Please return the signed appeal to the following fax numbers:

284 91 98 or 284 9197