Pubdate: 19 Jan 1999 Source: Reuters Copyright: 1999 Reuters Limited. GREECE TOLD NOT TO BAR EU NATIONALS FOR DRUGS ATHENS, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Greece was told on Tuesday to end its automatic bar for life on nationals of other European Union countries who are busted for drugs on its soil. The Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice ruled that a law preventing foreigners from ever returning to Greece if they are convicted there for drugs was in violation of the EU's fundamental freedoms. The case was brought by Donatella Calfa, an Italian who was arrested and convicted in Crete for possessing illegal drugs for personal use. She was sentenced to three months in prison and deported for life. Greece attracts hundreds of thousands of European and other tourists each year to sun-drenched islands known for their laid-back atmosphere. But its police enforce a strict anti-drug policy. The Greek law required courts to expel foreign drug users unless there were special circumstances such as family ties. In a statement, the court said EU member states can invoke public policy as justification for limiting freedoms in certain circumstances. But the fact of a conviction is not enough; the person involved must be judged to pose a threat. "The Greek legislation at issue constitutes an obstacle to the freedom to provide services, to the freedom of movement for workers and to the freedom of establishment which cannot be justified on grounds of public policy," the court concluded. - --- MAP posted-by: Mike Gogulski