STRASBOURG (FRANCE): European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering on Wednesday termed President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's address to the European Parliament extraordinary, which they had not heard before.

Mr. Pottering described him a statesman, scholar and poet. Hailing these qualities as unique, he said Mr. Kalam's speech, coming in the EU's golden jubilee year, inspired them to understand each other and to cooperate while remaining together.

Mr. Pottering also described him the topmost Indian scientist, who was the architect of the Indian space and nuclear programme. His research and technology had benefited Indian people as well as those in the developing countries.

"We were delighted when in 2002, Mr. Kalam, a Tamil and a Muslim, was elected President of India, the greatest democracy and also a land of multi-cultural, multi-religious people," he said.

Mr. Pottering wanted the Lok Sabha to set up a parliamentary delegation for further strengthening relations with the EU and promote inter-parliamentary exchanges and engage in a dialogue of cultures.

Recites poem

At the end of his 45-minute speech, Mr. Kalam recited an English poem composed by him, "A Message from Mother India," hailing the freshness of ideas and creativity of the EU nations.

When he finished saying "namaskar" with folded hands, the Parliamentarians gave him a standing ovation and greeted him with rounds of applause.

Even as Mr. Kalam was making the address, a handful of people under the banner of Kashmir Centre staged a demonstration outside, demanding that the Indian Army quit Kashmir.

The demonstrators, holding banners and posters, were led by Ali Raza Syed, president of the advisory council of the centre, which demands holding of a referendum in Kashmir and implementation of the 1949 United Nations Resolution.

Asked why he was soft on Pakistan, he said the organisation also stood for freeing the entire territory of Kashmir, including the Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The demonstrators did not raise any demand of granting Presidential pardon to Mohammad Afzal Guru sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case.

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