ALBANIA, 16/10/2003
To:
Fatos Nano
Prime Minister of Albania
Tirana, Albania
Your Excellency,
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South Eastern Europe, and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), strongly condemns the violent attack on TV Vizioni Plus news-editor, Ilir Babarama.
According to SEEMO´s sources, on 14 October 2003, Luan Rama, Minister of Public Order, and his bodyguards allegedly attacked Babarama in public while the journalist was attending Your Excellency´s celebrations at the successful conclusion of the local Albanian elections.
SEEMO urges Your Excellency to do everything in your power to bring to justice those responsible for this incident. We also respectfully remind you that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which media professionals are able to carry out their duties without fear of attack.
Therefore, we ask you to ensure the safety of all journalists working in Albania.
Yours sincerely,
Oliver Vujovic
Secretary General