H. E. Sartaj Aziz
Foreign Minister
Ministry of Foreign Affaires
Islamabad
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Vienna, 17 August 1998
Your Excellency,
The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors and media executives, condemns the kidnapping of Mahmoud Saremi, a correspondent for the official Iranian news agency (IRNA), by Taleban militia forces.
Members of the Taleban militia abducted Saremi, Afghanistan bureau chief for IRNA, along with 10 Iranian diplomats in Mazar-i-Sharif, when Taleban forces took control of the northern Afghan city on 8 August. We understand that the journalist was taken by Taleban agents to the air base at Shindand and moved to Kandahar, in south-eastern Afghanistan, on 9 August.
IPI is concerned that Saremi, who underwent stomach surgery just two weeks before his abduction, could be suffering from deteriorating health conditions. We therefore urge you to do everything in your power to ensure the immediate release of Saremi, as well as other Iranian hostages.
We thank you for your attention.
Yours sincerely,
Johann P. Fritz
Director
CC: Mr. Abdul Hakim Mujahid
Ambassador
Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afganistan
Islamabad
Pakistan