(Clearwisdom.net) British Member of European Parliament Dr. Charles Tannock recently wrote to the French Ambassador to England to protest France's bowing to China's pressure by arresting and handcuffing peaceful Falun Gong practitioners during Chinese New Year celebrations jointly organized by China and France. Below is the text of the letter.

Dr. Charles Tannock
Conservative Central Office
32 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3HH

20^th February 2004

HE Monsieur G. Errera
Ambassador of France
58 Knightsbridge
London
SW1X 7JT

Dear M Gerard Errera

I am writing as a European Parliamentary Friend of the Falun Gong to protest the arrest and handcuffing of practitioners who were peacefully demonstrating in the Champs Elysees on Saturday 24^th January. There are serious allegations that this was done at the request of the Chinese Embassy. France as a member of the EU and Council of Europe is committed to the fundamental right of peaceful political protest. I find the allegations of giving in to pressure from the Chinese authorities anxious to deny any platform to protesters during the parade deeply regrettable. I do hope that the request by Falun Gong for an apology from the French authorities will be shortly forthcoming.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Charles Tannock MEP