New Initiative in Europe

Subject: 
         update on Silvia Baraldini 
   Date: 
         Wed, 27 May 1998 21:40:43 -0400 
  From: 
         marcella bencivenni 
     To: 
         Eduardo , Ashley Johnson ,
         Francesca Maniglio , Amy march ,
         Dan & Marina , emiliano pecis 
    CC: 
         Justin Vitiello 


May 1998

In April, the US government rejected Italy's fifth request for repatriation
for Silvia Baraldini under the Strasbourg Convention.
Article 23 of that Convention entitles countries which cannot reach an
agreement to appeal to the Council of Europe for arbitration. As a
consequence, the Italian government has requested that the Council of
Europe's Committee on Penal Affairs "facilitate a friendly settlement of
the difficulties that have arisen out of the aplication of the Strasbourg
Convention between the Italian government and the US goverment."

THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE WILL CONSIDER SILVIA'S CASE IN STRASBOURG (FRANCE) ON
JUNE 8, 1998.

The Italian defense committee for Silvia is actively lobbying to secure a
significant presence of supporters in front of the European Council between
11:00 AM and 4:00 PM on June 8th. The committe has contacted Italian
officials, representing Regional Councils and Cities, who have endorsed
Silvia's transfer in the past. Finally, the committee is inviting members
of the press.

Silvia's attorney, Elizabeth Fink, and two members of the US Committee for
Silvia (Toby and Eduardo) will be in Strasbourg for this important event.
We believe that the presence of the American committee in Strasbourg is
essential for two reasons. First, thousands of other prisonsers have been
repatriated under the auspices of this Convention, why not Silvia?
Secondly, this represent a unique opportunity to strengthen the cooperation
between the Italian and the American committees.

This event may represent an important turning point for Silvia's case. The
intervention of the European Council was a primary goal of our last
campaigns. thanks to our common efforts and hard work this goal has become
a reality! Silvia would like to thank you for the international support
that has made this possible and to remember that there are over a hundred
other political prisoners in the United States.

The trip to Europe will cost a great deal. Any contribution would be
appreciated. Please, make checks payable to CIRSBI and mail them to :
PO Box 02-114, Brooklyn, NY 11202
or
3543 18th Street #30, San Francisco, CA 94110

Ciao
marcella bencivenni