Sunday, Jan 09, 2005
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By Vaiju Naravane
PARIS, JAN. 8. Forty-eight hours after a senior French female journalist, 43-year-old Florence Aubenas, and her Iraqi translator went missing in Baghdad, the French President, Jacques Chirac, strongly advised journalists to avoid going to Iraq. "Today, we have no news of your colleague and we are worried. Naturally, we are mobilising all possible means to obtain information and to find her," Mr. Chirac told reporters at the Elysee Palace. "I want to reiterate that the French authorities have formally advised against sending journalists to Iraq", the President said. "For everyone, it's a question of responsibility. At the current time, the security of our correspondents cannot be ensured." Mr. Chirac said while he "understood the demands of the profession," there were clear limits, adding: "It's not good to put people's lives in jeopardy". The French Foreign Ministry said that while the possibility of another case of hostage-taking could not be ruled out, there was no certainty that Ms Aubenas and her interpreter had been kidnapped.
Held for ransom?
Two French journalists held for over four months in captivity were released last month amid speculation that the Government had paid a hefty ransom to obtain their freedom. The disappearance of Ms Aubenas has fuelled speculation that she might have been kidnapped for ransom. Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, the two reporters released by their captors in Baghdad, said it was irresponsible to send correspondents there at this time. They also questioned the viability of sending special correspondents to Iraq. "These are extremely dangerous times. We should maintain a presence, but maybe we need to rethink the plan of action. Is it worth staying for long periods of time?" said Christian Chesnot. Mr. Malbrunot maintained that sending journalists to Iraq was just playing the game of kidnappers who are waiting for prey. Meanwhile, Mohamed Al-Jundi, the Syrian driver of Mr. Chesnot and Mr. Malbrunot, who was kidnapped along with the reporters, has decided to sue the Americans for ill-treatment.
Torture alleged
Mr. Al-Jundi was separated from the two reporters after his capture and was found shackled in Falluja by U.S. forces.
He filed a suit at a Paris court on Tuesday alleging torture by the U.S. army.
His lawyer said Mr Al Jundi was tortured with electric shocks and subjected to mock executions. He is represented by a veteran lawyer, Jacques Verges, who has made a name for taking up controversial cases.
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