Launch of the Natural Law Party's manifesto for the European Parliament elections including special address by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Theme of the manifesto:

"Natural Law unites - creating a truly united peaceful Europe as the first step to a united peaceful world"

Wednesday 12 May, 11.15 am

Charing Cross Hotel (Regency Room), London WC2

Natural Law Parties in each EU country are holding press conferences simultaneously on 12 May in their capital cities, to launch their campaigns and present the manifesto. All of these events will be linked by conference telephone.

11.15 am Introduction - by UK Party Leader Dr Geoffrey Clements.  Dr Clements will present the manifesto for the European elections and introduce the UK candidates, most of whom will be present at the launch.  The party is fielding a full slate of 87 candidates in the UK. The manifesto tackles all the major issues confronting the EU, including peace in the Balkans, monetary union, and agricultural policy; it offers unique, practical solutions validated by scientific research.

The Natural Law Party is the first political party in Europe to develop a common manifesto for the European Parliament and will be fielding hundreds of candidates throughout the EU.

11.30 Conference call starts, chaired by Dr Reinhard Borowitz, President of the Maharishi International Council of Natural Law Parties, and leader of the Natural Law Party of Germany.

11.40 Address by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, speaking from Maharishi Vedic University in Vlodrop, Holland. It is Maharishi's Vedic technologies of Natural Law that have inspired the founding of the Natural Law Party in over 60 countries around the world. Maharishi has spoken strongly about the perilous consequences of the bombing of Yugoslavia by the UK and other NATO countries - warning that the destroyer will become the destroyed. In response to this danger, Maharishi has established an Endowment Fund for Perpetual World Peace, to free the world forever from the fear of terrorism, war and destruction, through the use of his science and technology of Natural Law.

Following Maharishi's address there will be an opportunity for members of the press to ask questions of Maharishi and party leaders.

Editors please note:

The UK candidates will be reconvening after lunch for a fuller discussion of the manifesto and campaign strategy. Members of the press who wish to interview candidates from a particular area of the UK may do so at any time during the day.

In the UK, press conferences will also be held in Belfast and Edinburgh, linked to the main conference call.  For details, please call 01232-311466 and 0141-946-6144 respectively.

Please see right hand panel for press contacts