04/10/2006 (Agence Europe) -Patrick Gaubert (EPP-ED) tells us he was “astonished” to read the Algerian declarations in our bulletin of 2 October (EUROPE 9277) on visa policy (p.16). “If there is indeed manipulation and disinformation, then it comes from the Algerian authorities or officials who were interviewed for this article. In fact, among the documents required for a visa passed on to MEPs with a view to their trip to Algeria, it was written black on white 'no Israeli visa'”, Mr Gaubert states. It was because of this “unacceptable” requirement that he did not request an Algerian visa and cancelled his participation in the EP committee's mission, he points out. (hb)