FRANCE: Journalists and TV stars demonstrate in Paris to win freedom for hostages in Afghanistan

Record ID: 1547508

  • Title: FRANCE: Journalists and TV stars demonstrate in Paris to win freedom for hostages in Afghanistan
  • Date: 30th September 2010
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 29, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF FRANCE TELEVISIONS' HEADQUARTERS BANNER: FREE THE HOSTAGES GIANT PLACARD READING "WE ARE NOT FORGETTING YOU" JOURNALISTS GATHERED AT THE DEMONSTRATION PEOPLE LISTENING TO SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (French) JEAN FRANCOIS JULLIARD, GENERAL SECRETARY OF REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, SAYING "We are just waiting for their release now. We know that they are alive, that they are in good health so we really hope they will be released soon. We are just asking French authorities to continue their efforts and to end the negotiations, a final way to secure their release now." FRANCE TELEVISIONS' LOGO PEOPLE WATCHING THE BANNER VARIOUS OF FORMER FRENCH HOSTAGE FLORENCE AUBENAS TALKING AT THE DEMONSTRATION JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FORMER FRENCH HOSTAGE FLORENCE AUBENAS SAYING: "It's important to come today because I believe that any little detail matters. We often think, 'why should we be here? Our thoughts are with them anyway, why are we gathering on a square?, why do we release balloons?' And finally, it's with this kind of action, when we gather and when we show what is happening. Information is only for journalists but also for all the people here who, like us, are defending freedom of press." SPOKESMAN OF THE SUPPORT COMMITTEE RICHARD COFFIN TALKING AT THE DEMONSTRATION JOURNALIST LISTENING PLACARD WITH HOSTAGES' FACE BANNER: RELEASE THEM (SOUNDBITE) (French) SPOKESMAN OF THE SUPPORT COMMITTEE RICHARD COFFIN SAYING "They are probably suffering constantly, it's a living hell but for us here it's the waiting that's difficult and that's not acceptable." BALLOONS BEING RELEASED
  • Embargoed: 15th October 2010 01:24
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAE6E2D4EOT3SE6CK9ZGK7HLUUN
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Several hundred journalists gathered in front of the France Televisions building on Wednesday (September, 29) to demand the release of two of their colleagues kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Taleban 9 months ago.
    The journalists, Stephane Taponnier and Herve Guesquiere from France 3 television were captured in mainly French-patrolled Kapisa province, northeast of the capital Kabul, in December along with their Afghan driver and translator.
    Holding placards that showed images of the two reporters' press cards, demonstrators demanded the two be set free immediately.
    Among those present were Jean-Francois Julliard, the head of Reporters Without Borders in France and Florence Aubenas, a journalist who was held captive in Iraq.
    "We are just waiting for their release now. We know that they are alive, that they are in good health so we really hope they will be released soon. We are just asking French authorities to continue their efforts and to end the negotiations, a final way to secure their release now," said the head of Reporters Without Borders Fran����ois Julliard.
    French authorities recently received proof that the two journalists are alive and in good health and the military Chief of Staff said on Friday (September 24) that he was for the moment ruling out military intervention to free five others recently kidnapped last week in Africa.
    "It's important to come today because I believe that any little detail matters. We often think, 'why should we be here? Our thoughts are with them anyway, why are we gathering on a square?, why do we release balloons?' And finally, it's with this kind of action, when we gather and when we show what is happening. Information is only for journalists but also for all the people here who, like us, are defending freedom of press," Florence Aubenas said.
    "They are probably suffering constantly, it's a living hell but for us here it's the waiting that's difficult and that's not acceptable," added the spokesman for the hostages' Support Committee Richard Coffin.
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