10 February 2000
Text: Journalists' Group Concerned Over Russian Reporter in Chechnya
(IFJ demands Russian guarantee of Babitsky's safety) (610) The world's largest organization of journalists has called on Russia to "come clean" over the fate of Radio Liberty reporter Andrei Babitsky, who disappeared January 15 while covering the war in Chechnya. A spokesman for the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which represents more than 420,000 journalists worldwide, said "Babitsky's case is a matter of appalling stage management by Russian Officials. . . It appears that he is free, but no one has any concrete information. The agony of his family and friends is intolerable." A February 7 IFJ press release noted that a video -- which was released by the Russian government and which supposedly shows Babitsky being handed over to Chechen rebels in a prisoner exchange -- is now believed to have been set-up. "We are appalled that this journalists' life is being endangered to satisfy the public relations and propaganda needs of military commanders," the IFJ said. The IFJ is also taking up the case with the European Union, the Council of Europe, UNESCO, and the OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe], the release said. Following is the text of the press release: (begin text) International Federation of Journalists Brussels Feb. 7, 2000 IFJ DEMANDS SAFETY GUARANTEE FROM RUSSIA OVER MISSING JOURNALIST The International Federation of Journalists, the world's largest journalists' organisation representing over 420,000 journalists worldwide, today called on the Russian government to "come clean" over the fate of journalist Andrei Babitsky who, it is claimed, was traded by Russia for two soldiers in a prisoner exchange deal in Chechnya on 3 February. "Babitsky's case is a matter of appalling stage management by Russian Officials", said Aidan White. "It appears that he is free, but no one has any concrete information. The agony of his family and friends is intolerable". The IFJ noted that a video released by the Russians purporting to show Babitsky being handed over to Chechen rebels is now thought to have been set-up. "We are appalled that this journalists' life is being endangered to satisfy the public relations and propaganda needs of military commanders," said the IFJ. Andrei Babitsky, a reporter for Radio Liberty, disappeared on 15 January 2000, before which he had been in Grozny, covering the conflict in Chechnya. A spokesman for the Russian government acknowledged on 28 January that Babitsky was being held in Chechnya by Russian authorities because he did not have proper accreditation to report from the war zone. The Russian Union of Journalists has informed the IFJ that Andrei Babitsky may soon be freed without further harm. "We would like to hear from the government of Mr. Putin a clear statement that journalists will not be used in this manner in the future", said the IFJ. The IFJ has noted the statement by Sergei Ivanov, the National Security Chief, warning the media to follow the government line when reporting on the war. The IFJ reiterated its demand that the government must refrain from attempting to manipulate the media and putting pressure on journalists who do not follow the government propaganda. The IFJ affiliate in Russia, the Russian Union of Journalists today condemned the continued uncertainty over Babitsky's fate. "We want a clear and unequivocal statement from the Russian authorities that he is safe and that they will guarantee his security", said the IFJ. The IFJ is also taking up the case with the European Union, the Council of Europe, UNESCO, and the OSCE. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)
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