Work Keeps Sane the Families of the Kidnapped Journalists

Dan Tomozei, Marina Constantinoiu, Irina Cristea, Monica Iordache The families of the three Romanian journalists kidnapped in Iraq 46 days ago try to get to a semblance of normalcy in their lives.

The families of the kidnapped journalists gave up on their trips to Bucharest for news on their children

Senator Vasile Ion, the father of journalist Marie-Jeanne Ion, says that getting on with life is a way to overcome the difficult moments. "We try to perform our regular duties. We are upset with the media coverage of later days, but I hope, I want to believe that all will end well and sooner rather than later."

In Sibiu, the family of Sorin Miscoci also returned to their working schedule. After days of waiting for answers in front of the presidential Cotroceni Palace, and a brief period of time isolated in a village in County Valcea, Sorin’s parents returned to work. Their colleagues are shielding them of any further questions and they say that even if the zest for work does not come easy, it is still better than staying hooked on the television screens for news on their kidnapped son. All they want now is for the nightmare to end and their child to safely come back home.

Sorin’s fiancée, Andreea, also hopes for his safe return, while trying to ease the pressure with diving into her work. She is now traveling abroad for professional reasons but keeps contact with Sorin’s parents.

Al Jazeera aired a critical comment at President’s Traian Basescu last stance. The Arab television station said that Basescu did a bad move when stating clearly that Romania will not negotiate the release of the journalists for money or change the country’s foreign policy. Al Jazeera, rebroadcast by Realitatea TV, commented that Basescu’s stance could worsen the situation of the Romanian journalists.

New developments inside Romania too: organizers of the demonstrations and marches supporting the release of the journalists said that some politicians and high-flying journalists tried to determine them act violently against the riot police and demonstrate against President Basescu.

The organizers did not name names but promised to do that when the crisis will be over.

The leaders of the Initiativa R, the Action Crisis Committee and of the Association 21 December 1989 said that four journalists and politicians from various parties asked them to create mayhem with setting on fire the cars of the police and riot police, paint with slogans the outside wall of the Presidential Palace, protest against President Basescu and ask for the withdrawal of the Romanian military in Iraq.

On the other hand, the leaders of the civic organization asked Basescu yesterday, in an open letter, to resume communication with the public opinion and provide "clear information at regular intervals," on the fate of the three journalists and their Iraqi guide.

The Iraqi Ambassador in Bucharest, Adel Murad, stated in a letter sent to Romulus Cristea, head of the Initiativa R trade union, that both the Iraqi government and President Jalal Talabani make "all efforts possible" to achieve the freedom of the Romanian journalists.