Father of Romanian Journalist Captive in Iraq Makes Emotional Appeal

Senator Vasile Ion, father of one of the Romanian journalists kept hostage in Iraq for 54 days now, took the Senate floor to appeal to his colleagues to not ignore the fate of his daughter, Marie-Jeanne Ion, and her two colleagues.

Ion reminded that the three journalists were traveling to Iraq for professional reasons only, and with no hidden agenda, as the Romanian media ranted for three weeks after their capture. Ion further showed that the interest the Romanian society harbors for the subject dwindled and that solidarity was difficult to come by in Romania. "It is very likely that if they will stay any longer in captivity they will come out of this experience with their mental health damaged for good," said Ion, while tears streamed down his cheeks. He mentioned that there are only two options to solve the hostage crisis, but he did not name them.

Ion asked the Senate to show that they work for the Romanian people, including the three Romanian citizens held captive in Iraq. "You are not making any favor to any one. It is an attitude the Senate should take in order to deal with this wretched situation, since a fatal outcome will mark this parliament for good," said Ion.

Ion told later Jurnalul National that since Al-Jazeera broadcast, three weeks ago, a tape of the Romanian hostages, he got no now information from the Crisis Unit established at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace. He said that since the hostage crisis irrupted he was never in direct contact with President Traian Basescu, but only with his advisers.

"I am always told to wait and get evasive answers. How long should I wait? Till another tape is shown [on Al-Jazeera]," exclaimed exasperated Ion. He said that he is very scared of what could happen to his daughter and that he even contemplates the idea of going on his own to Iraq to free her, only that he would not like his actions to interfere with those of the Romanian authorities. Ion said that he cannot take out of his head the message he got on his home recording machine, in English, which said that he will get to hear his daughter’s last wards before she will be killed.

Nicolae Vacaroiu, the Senate Speaker, said that indeed the Parliament should be more active on the matter and promised to forge contacts with the Iraqi Parliament in order to get support for the freedom of the Romanian hostages.
Some 150 people took part in a two-hour silent stand-in demonstration, in University Square, among which the parents of the Romanian hostages and the wife of the Iraqi translator. After the meeting the relatives of the hostages went to the Presidential Palace for a meeting with Claudiu Saftoiu, adviser to President Basescu.