Brussels, 20 April 2007 S126/07
Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, calls for the release of Alan Johnston, the BBC correspondent detained in Gaza
Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), today wrote to Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, expressing his concern for the fate of Alan Johnston, the BBC correspondent who was abducted in Gaza nearly six weeks ago: "Dear Mr Thompson, I am writing to you to convey my deep sympathy and concern for the fate of your colleague, Alan Johnston, who has now been in captivity in Gaza for almost six weeks. As you know, I am in permanent contact with Mahmoud ABBAS, President of the Palestinian Authority, and I will continue to raise the issue with him and with all my other Palestinian interlocutors, until Mr Johnston is freed and returned home. I know that President ABBAS is aware that this matter is being followed all over Europe, including at the highest level, but I will not fail to continue to stress that the EU expects the Palestinian Authority to make every effort to secure his release. Mr Johnston was abducted while going about his job, which is to report the news impartially. He is an outstanding journalist, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting myself more than once, and he is a friend of the Palestinian people. Those responsible for his abduction are doing a disservice to the cause of the Palestinian people and to the peace process in the Middle East. In the meantime, my thoughts are with you and your staff, with Alan Johnston, and with his family. Yours sincerely, Javier Solana " ___________
FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Spokesperson of the Secretary General, High Representative for CFSP +32 (0)2 281 6467 / 8239 / 5150 / 5151 +32 (0)2 281 5694 internet: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/solana e-mail: presse.cabinet@consilium.europa.eu