GENEVA: In his special message for May Day 2002, the IMF general secretary, Marcello Malentacchi, in his latest Opinion Column encourages workers to make May Day into a big manifestation against racism and xenophobia. "It is the day," said Malentacchi, "when the supreme ideals of democracy, freedom, solidarity and justice must be at the top of all speeches. These ideals are indivisible and must be applied in all countries and to all people." The IMF general secretary refers in his statement to populist and irresponsible movements such as the National Front in France, Lega Nord in Italy, the Freedom Party in Austria, the Danish People's Party in Denmark, which are presently trying to take advantage of social problems and turn them into nationalistic demagogy. The full text of Malentacchi's May Day remarks can be read in his Opinion Column on this website. Click on the associated link, top left.