21/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of the European Council of Brussels, the Iraqi National Congress, the organisation that heads Iraqi opposition, wrote to Costas Simitis to "express .heartfelt gratitude to those members of the European Union who are taking action to support the liberation of the persecuted peoples of Iraq". In his letter, Ahmed Chalabi, who is one of the leaders of the Congress and of the six-member steering group recently elected by the various components of the Iraqi opposition, specifies that: "We are aware that there have been strong differences between the democracies in Europe as to the appropriateness of the act of liberation that is beginning in Iraq". He concluded: "Be assured that the Iraq people have no such doubts. However, we also know that all of the members of the European Union are united in their concern for the safety and well-being of Iraqi citizens. … In the days, weeks and months that lie ahead following our liberation, the Iraqi people will need even greater support from the community of nations and institutions of the European Union. We ask you to be open and generous in your response to the requests for help in the rebuilding of Iraq".