19/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - The recent moderate comments of Philippe Busquin (in an interview to Le Monde and press conference reported by EUROPE on 18 March, p.9) were not to the taste of French Minister for Research, Claudie Haigneré. In a letter in which every sentence begins with "I", she is quick to reproach the Commissioner for "meddling in national policy of a Member State". Mr Busquin was simply expressing concern for the future of research in Europe and the need for researchers and a friendly letter, he explains his viewpoint and says he is "determined that we continue to work together (…) to make research the plinth of innovation and growth in your country and the continent as a whole". In the coming days, Mr Busquin will receive representatives of the "Save Research" collective, who did not succeed in coming to Brussels on Thursday.