I refer to an article under caption ?Légère avance pour l?alliance MMM-MSM? appearing in l?express of 2nd May 2005 wherein mention is made of the following : ?La police estime à environ 17 000 le nombre de personnes ayant fait le déplacement à Vacoas et à environ 13000 ceux qui étaient au meeting des travaillistes.?

I wish to inform you that, in line with current policy, Police do not make any assessment of attendance at public meetings/gatherings and political rallies. Consequently, the Police Headquarters has not communicated any figures respecting attendance at the Labour Day rallies.

I am appending for your information, an extract from Police Operation Order No. 21/05 (see hereunder) carrying special directives to the Force on the matter.

I should be obliged if the foregoing could be published for the information of the general public.

<B>R. GOPALSINGH</B> <I>Commissioner of Police</I>

<B>Extract from Police Operation Order No. 21/05 </B>

I expect a high standard of professionalism from all officers. Moreover, all ranks to display their neutrality and impartiality at all times and should abstain from making any comments of a political nature.

Police officers are hereby formally prohibited from making any assessment of attendance figures in respect of meetings and gatherings and communicating figures. I must make capital of the fact that it is not the responsibility of Police to indulge in such exercise. So, all ranks are duly warned accordingly.