E/CN.4/2002/24 page 33 3. Comments by the Special Rapporteur 71. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the reaction of the Latvian authorities to counter racist and xenophobic propaganda against the Russian minority in their country. He considers that efforts should be continued in order to overcome the bitterness of the past and thereby maintain social cohesion. D. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 72. In his annual report for 2001, the Special Rapporteur drew the attention of the Commission on Human Rights to the pogroms and mass expulsion of Blacks in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in September 2000 (E/CN.4/2001/21, paras. 5-10). In connection with the incidents described as xenophobic, or even racist, by several observers, the Permanent Mission of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the Special Rapporteur a number of observations and comments, among which particular attention is drawn to the following: “The Special Rapporteur stated that his information originated from the print, media, radio and television, and cited a number of extracts of newspapers articles. Despite my great respect for all these media, I wish to emphasize that Mr. Ahanhanzo is well aware that these organs should not constitute the only source of information for the report of a Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, especially when the media concerned adopt at the outset a hostile position vis-à-vis my country … I wish to inform the Special Rapporteur that the expulsion of the nationals of the African countries concerned was effected in close cooperation with their country of origin, through their embassies in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and after they had expressed the desire to leave Libya, in the knowledge that their illegal presence in this country, where they had no work, could cause them problems. Libya has borne the full cost of their repatriation, which has so far amounted US$ 60 million. The inquiry into the persons responsible for the incidents has been entrusted to the office of the People’s Prosecutor-General, who has completed his investigations. The case has been referred to the people’s court and is currently being considered by one of its divisions. The accused, who include Libyans and nationals of other African countries, number 331. The proceedings are being conducted in public in the presence of diplomats accredited to Libya and all correspondents of foreign newspapers and news agencies. Libyan satellite television is broadcasting them live … Underlying the incidents in question were the illegal practices of certain African nationals which ran counter to the values and traditions of Libyan society (murders, thefts, trafficking in alcohol and drugs, prostitution, indecent behaviour, illicit currency trading, fraud, etc.).” Lastly, the Libyan authorities invite the Special Rapporteur to visit Libya “in order to learn on the spot about the situation of our brothers from other African countries”. 73. The Special Rapporteur is grateful to the Government of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya for its attention. He would like to know the results of the trials under way and would be happy to visit Libya, with the Libyan authorities, in order to continue the dialogue on these unfortunate and distressing events.