JP\/1\/MISS2<\/p>\n
Susilo appeals to Iraqi group to free journalists<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular and Ivy Susanti
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Two Indonesian television journalists, who have been
\nincommunicado since driving through a notorious rebel stronghold
\nin Iraq, got the attention of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
\nwho publicly appealed for their freedom.<\/p>\n
Reporter Meutya Hafid and cameraman Budiyanto of Metro TV last
\ncontacted their office on Tuesday while driving from Amman to
\nKarbala, chief editor Don Bosco Salamun said.<\/p>\n
Susilo made the public appeal late on Friday after meeting
\nwith Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda.<\/p>\n
\"I ask for those who've detained the two journalists to free
\nthem immediately. They are innocent, they went to Iraq on a
\njournalistic mission and had no political motives to get involved
\nin the Iraq conflict. Their families are waiting for their
\nreturn. I also express my appreciation in advance for anyone who
\nhelps save them,\" Susilo told reporters at the State Palace.<\/p>\n
He said that the government would use diplomatic channels to
\nlobby the government of Iraq as well as its neighbors Syria,
\nJordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. They also hope to
\nmake contact with Iraqi religious figures and request their help.<\/p>\n
Hassan said the ministry would send a special team on Saturday
\nto handle the issue.<\/p>\n
\"We will send them to Jordan to coordinate efforts to free the
\njournalists,\" he told reporters after meeting Susilo.<\/p>\n
Susilo also said that the government had asked Meutya's mother
\nand Budiyanto's wife to make public appeals that can be aired on
\nforeign media, including the Dubai-based Al-Jazeera TV station.<\/p>\n
Ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa had earlier cited reports
\nfrom the Indonesian Embassy in Amman, Jordan. The owner of the
\nvehicle rented by the journalists, Deeb Nabulsi, had told the
\nembassy that drivers of other rental companies had reported
\nseeing the group being ambushed by an armed group in military
\nfatigues in Ramadi, a Sunni-controlled area some 100 kilometers
\nwest of Baghdad.<\/p>\n
After covering Iraq's elections from Feb. 1 to Feb. 12, the
\njournalists returned to Amman, Don Bosco said. Then they were
\nassigned to cover the Muslim New Year celebration in Karbala, the
\nShiite holy city about 102 kilometers southwest of Baghdad.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Embassy in Amman was aware of the journalists'
\npresence and their activities in Iraq.<\/p>\n
Don Bosco said the journalists left for Karbala on Tuesday,
\nFeb. 15. \"The news coordinator in Jakarta received a text message
\naround 3 p.m. (Jakarta time) on Tuesday from the journalists,
\nwhich said that they had arrived in Iraq.\" This was the last
\ncontact, he said.<\/p>\n
\"I hope it's just a communication breakdown,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Despite the ministry's warning against traveling in the war
\nzone, Don Bosco said the station decided to send its \"best
\nreporters\" to cover Iraq. Photo -- Page 4<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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