25/06/2008 (Agence Europe) -The European commissioner for justice, liberty and security, Jacques Barrot, has recently written to the American secretary of state for national security, Michael Chertoff, asking for information as to why the American authorities use discriminatory practices against travellers affected with HIV/aids. Since 1993, the American government has refused to include these people in its Visa Waiver Program. This question is "highly sensitive" and also raises "political concerns at EU level and particularly on the part of the European Parliament", said Mr Barrot in his letter. The British MEP Sarah Ludford (ALDE), who is behind a petition to include the abolition of this discrimination in negotiations on visas with the United States, expressed her great satisfaction at Mr Barrot's letter. (B.C./trans.fl)