H. E. Sr. Juan Larrain

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations

Tel: 832-3323 (Ext. 218)

Fax: 832-8714/0236

H. E. M. Jean - David Levitte

Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations

Tel: 702-4950/4963

Fax: 421 6889

H. E. Dr. Dieter Kastrup

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations

Tel: 940-0494

Fax: 940-0402

H. E. M. Sorin Dumitru Ducaru

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations

Tel: 682-3273/3274

Fax: 682-9746

H. E. Mr. Richard Holbrooke

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations

Tel: 415-4285

Fax: 415-4443/4141

Strasburg, October 2, 2000

Esteemed ambassador,

We write to express, also on behalf of the Transnational Radical Party (TRP), our sincerest gratitude for the consideration and active support of your delegation to the TRP throughout the process that, since last May, has seen our organization engaged in trying to counter the serious allegations presented before the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations by the Russian Federation.

We commend the role that Germany (France, Romania, Chile, the U.S.) is playing in emphasising the importance of the respect of the universal right to freely present one's opinions in international fora such as the UN Commission on Human Rights, and we salute the commitment of your delegation in ensuring that at Committee on NGOs the principles of fairness and due process are respected in the deliberation of a UN body.

If, on 18 October, the Economic and Social Council will ratify the Committee's recommendation to suspend our organization for three years, a dangerous precedent risks to be created, questioning the very relationship that now exists between non-governmental entities and the UN system. We, therefore take the liberty to call on you personally to do your utmost, in an unprecedented effort, to explore all the possible avenues to reject the proposed suspension for three years for an organization, which, for the last five years, has allowed political dissidents, victims as well as experts to address the international community on matters pertaining to the right to life, freedom, justice, security and the international rule of law.

Confident in your sincere commitment for the final phase of this serious issue, we tank you, once again, for your time and consideration of this matter. With our best wishes.

Respectfully,

Emma Bonino, MEP Marco Pannella, MEP Olivier Dupuis, MEP

Secretary General of TRP