Mexico, 26/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - European Parliament President Nicole Fontaine said after her official visit to Mexico that President Vicente Fox would come to the European Parliament to deliver a speech this autumn, in October or November.
Regarding the possible invitation of Sub-Commandant Marcos, head of the Zapatist guerrilla force in Chiapas (an invitation mainly solicited by the Socialist, Greens and United Left Groups), Ms Fontaine declared that, "if a Zapatist visit" to the European Parliament could facilitate a settlement to the conflict in Chiapas, then she "would be delighted". However, she added, the Zapatist leader should, if he wants to speak to MEPs, remove the balaclava that he always keeps on in public. This, she stressed, is not to "vex" him but is a "question of security".