Brussels, 31/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - European Commission Pascal Lamy undertook, on Thursday, to demand additional guarantees in Geneva and Doha for civil society to have "full, fair and effective access" - including the right to demonstrate peacefully, at the next ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation for which the Emirate of Qatar will play host - itself a controversial issue (see yesterday's EUROPE and of 27 January). In a letter to Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, Mr. Lamy states that the Qatari regime "has already given assurances along these lines", mainly aimed at setting up a centre for non-governmental organisations, issuing visas to "all" their representatives and to granting them "fully acceptable facilities". Nevertheless, he conceded to Mr. Roth, remains that assurances are still lacking regarding the right to peaceful assembly. "I agree with you that this is an absolutely fundamental point that we shall follow up urgently with the Qatar Government and with the WTO", he promised.