Brussels, 26/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - Before leaving for Washington, European Commission President Romano Prodi was to go, Thursday morning at 09.00 hrs. to the Islamic and Cultural Centre of Brussels to forcefully reject any assimilation between Islam and terrorist groups. He was, notably, to declare: "I come before you - Muslim community of Brussels and ambassadors of Muslim countries - as neighbour and brother. We are all shocked by the tragic events of 11 September in the United States. I'm soon to go to Washington with a message of European solidarity. Here, the message is the same: our human and universal values must be defended against violence, discrimination and hate wherever they come from. Here in Brussels, a few steps from this beautiful Mosque, and in a city in which many churches and synagogues coexist, many temples and sectarian centres, we are building a human and open Europe to all traditions and all religions respectful of these values. I firmly condemn any assimilation of Islam with the groups responsible for the odious terrorist attacks.
And the end of that visit, Prodi and the President-in-Office of the EU, Guy Verhofstadt will go to Washington to officially brief the American President on the outcome of the extraordinary European Council of last Friday and discuss th4 consequences of the attacks of 11 September. Verhoftadt and Prodi are to meet President George Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney and the Advisor for National Security, Condoleezza Rice.