The Sikh Federation (UK) faxed Tony Blair prior to his meeting with President Jacques Chirac at 10 Downing Street on Thursday 18 November to urge him to raise the issue of religious freedoms in France and the specific issue of Sikh children expelled from French schools. President Jacques Chirac was on a two day visit to the UK to mark the 100th anniversary of the "Entente Cordiale" - a pact ending centuries of hostility between Britain and France. The Federation copied its letters to Ministers at the Home Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the London Mayor. Ken Livingstone wrote to Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) the day prior to President Chirac's visit saying "I am appalled to learn that Sikh children have been expelled from French schools. Please let me know if there is any way in which you think I can help in such cases". In the letter to Tony Blair the Federation reminded him that they also wrote to him on 6 February before he met President Chirac in Berlin on 18 February requesting his assistance in opposing the proposed law in France. In April the Federation wrote to the Home Office to tell them they feared that those negotiating an accommodation by drawing up specific guidance for schools to allow the wearing of the turban will be unable to secure an adequate safeguard for Sikhs in France. The letter continued by stating "Last Thursday two of the three young Sikhs that have been expelled from a French school came to the UK to take part in the "Sikh Remembrance Day" and address UK politicians from all political parties at an event in Portcullis House. All politicians in attendance were unanimous in their opposition to the French law and promised to do all they could to pressure the French authorities."