SARAJEVO, May 6 (Hina) - The international High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Carlos Westendorp, on Thursday expressed concern over arbitrary acts of Yugoslav authorities responsible for the apprehension of Antun Masle, a
correspondent of the Croatian weekly "Globus". Attempts to intimidate or the abuse of reporters in any country presents a serious threat to the freedom of speech of all citizens, Westendorp wrote in a letter which he forwarded as response to the request of journalists in Bosnia-Herzegovina that he should urge the release of Masle. The Spanish diplomat added that the international community had for long time been aware that by violating media freedoms the Belgrade regime was trying to quell any discussion or public opinion. The most distressing example is the recent murder of a journalist, Slavko Cuvarija. Westendorp stressed that his office had so far taken s
SARAJEVO, May 6 (Hina) - The international High Representative to
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Carlos Westendorp, on Thursday expressed
concern over arbitrary acts of Yugoslav authorities responsible
for the apprehension of Antun Masle, a correspondent of the
Croatian weekly "Globus".
Attempts to intimidate or the abuse of reporters in any country
presents a serious threat to the freedom of speech of all citizens,
Westendorp wrote in a letter which he forwarded as response to the
request of journalists in Bosnia-Herzegovina that he should urge
the release of Masle.
The Spanish diplomat added that the international community had for
long time been aware that by violating media freedoms the Belgrade
regime was trying to quell any discussion or public opinion. The
most distressing example is the recent murder of a journalist,
Slavko Cuvarija.
Westendorp stressed that his office had so far taken significant
measures in order to help establish the freedom of the press in
Bosnia and added that some progress could be noticed in this field.
He warned, however, that the true freedoms of the media will only be
when the freedom of speech is protected in the whole of the
Balkans.
He called on Bosnia's neighbouring countries to support the
democratic re-organisation of the media in line with the
international norms.
He called on Croatia to pay attention to the recommendations of the
Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE), the aim of which is to free the public media from
the direct political clout.
The state-owned Radio and Television in Croatia must also respect
laws of this country (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Westendorp wrote in the
letter.
He urged reporters of all ethnic groups to be united in the struggle
for the protection of such media freedom as it exists in European
Union member-states.
(hina) ms