His Excellency Dr. Alija Izetbegovic
President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Vienna, 8 February 1995

Your Excellency.

The International Press Institute (IPI) is most concerned about the recent decision of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to mobilize for military service four senior journalists employed by Radio Zid.

We are informed that the journalists concerned, Vlado Azinovic, Vedrau Bajic, Adnan Sarajiic and Armin Jamakosmanovic are essential to the functioning of Radio Zid. Together with two female journalists, the four men form the entire editorial department of the station and if they are mobilized, Radio Zid will most probably have to cease operating.

IPI, representing publishers, editors-in-chief and leading journalists from newspapers, magazines, broadcasting organizations and news agencies in 89 countries, believes that the mobilization of the four journalists is incongruous with the proclamation of the authorities of Sarajevo recognizing Radio Zid as an institution of special importance and the granting of thirty-two civil working obligations ensuring that the station can remain on the air.

We therefore urge that the decision is postponed for two weeks, as requested by Radio Zid, and that a solution to this problem is found as soon as possible.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director