Mr. Kofi Annan
Undersecretary-General
for Peacekeeping Operations
United Nations
New York
United States of America
Vienna, 18 April 1995
Your Excellency,
The International Press Institute (IPI) is most concerned about the use of double standards in the treatment of journalists by the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina
We are opposed to the issuing of different UN press cards, a yellow one for local journalists and a blue one for foreign correspondents. IPI is informed that although local journalists are not treated any differently than foreign correspondents by UNPROFOR and other UN agencies, they are blatantly discriminated against by local authorities. The use of two different press cards by the UN only tends to worsen the situation.
IPI, a global network of editors and media executives from newspapers, magazines, broadcasting organisations and news agencies in 85 countries, strongly urge the United Nations to stop issuing different press cards and to use uniform credentials for all journalists regardless of their nationality.
We thank you for your attention.
Yours sincerely,
Johann P. Fritz
Director