Kidnapped in Afghanistan a year ago, journalists from France 3 and Stéphane Hervé Ghesquière Taponier among the French detainees as long abroad in recent decades. This is the longest detention of French journalists from Jean-Paul Kauffmann, Marcel Carton, Marcel Fontaine and Michel Seurat, kidnapped in Lebanon in 1985 and prisoners for almost three years.On Tuesday, a video of two men has been released to their relatives. But the parents of two journalists, "annoyed" by the attitude of French authorities have strongly criticized the method used since the beginning of the case by the government. The two journalists and their three companions were abducted Dec.
30, 2009 by a local Taliban group. They were making a documentary for the show "Exhibit" about sixty miles east of Kabul, in the volatile province of Kapisa and mountainous, where French troops are deployed in the NATO force (ISAF) . Having spent three weeks alongside French troops, the two journalists had decided to extend their coverage to the Afghan people, to offer a more nuanced view of the conflict.
They were no longer under the protection of the army at the time of their abduction. A "risk taking", inherent to their profession, they will be highly charged by the French authorities. Controversy at the top of the State After convincing the families of the hostages, the French authorities impose the discretion surrounding the case, so as not to raise the stakes in any negotiations with the kidnappers.
The media, first and foremost employer of the two journalists, France Televisions, fully comply with the strategy of anonymity imposed by the government. For over one hundred days, the French hostages have no face. They are mentioned only by their first names: Hervé and Stephane. But the media silence demanded by the government steals rapidly in brightness, spurred on by the very people who have imposed.
Just weeks after their abduction, the spokesman Frederic Lefebvre UMP and UMP Eric Raoult publicly put into question the two journalists. They denounce the risk there was to do a report in a war zone without being supervised by the French army. Then it was the turn of the secretary general of the Elysee, Claude Gueant, to denounce their "imprudence," while the Chief of Defence Staff, Jean-Louis Georgelin public figure - unheard of - the cost of search operations.
"We've already spent more than 10 million euros in this case (...) I call the responsibility of each other," he said on Europe 1. These criticisms are in turmoil occupation, which nevertheless continues to maintain anonymity. The discretion is no longer appropriate, but the Taliban by sending a tape which puts a definitive end to anonymity surrounding the identity of the two journalists.
In April, three months after their abduction, the public discovers the face of two hostages in a video widely circulated on the Internet. Stéphane Hervé Ghesquière and Taponier state, under pressure from their captors, threats on their lives. Through their words, the Taliban "demand" that this video is "broadcast on French channels.
"We are in danger. This is the last time we'll discuss in a video, they put on hold. April 12, France 3 broadcasts this video blurring the faces of the two journalists, against the advice of writing that calls for a more aggressive media strategy. But the direction of the chain is finally resolved to reveal the identity of the two journalists "at the request of families." Therefore, the expressions of support will grow.
On the eve of their 200th day in captivity, July 16, a banner with their portraits is deployed on top of Mount Blanc by their colleagues. Portraits of France 3 journalists held hostage in Afghanistan have been hoisted at the top of Mont Blanc, Friday, July 16. / PHILIPPE Desmazes In October, during their 300th day in detention, France Televisions organizes a charity concert at the Zenith in Paris Free.
The difficult negotiations lasting captivity. The two journalists have yet been located quickly. French special forces, with the help of their American counterparts, are hard at work since the beginning of the year. But the hypothesis of a release operation as too risky, is rejected. The government initially believed that the reason for removal is villainous.
But the demands of kidnappers are both financial and political, which complicates the negotiations: in addition to a large sum of money, they are also calling for release of prisoners held by NATO forces. In November, Nicolas Sarkozy met face-to-head with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to discuss the fate of the hostages.
The latter have agreed in principle to an exchange of prisoners. But he is bound by its own schedule as part of its policy of national reconciliation with the Taliban. The French authorities are now considering the possibility that two hostages have been separated. Paris feared above all that they have been moved to the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and duPakistan, complicating further contacts.
A chaotic communication February 26, Nicolas Sarkozy, telephone the families of hostages to announce their release: "They are marching towards us," he announced. End of September, Admiral Edouard Guillaud, who succeeded General Georgelin, speaks on Europe 1 "reasonable hope" of release before Christmas.
But the same day, President Nicolas Sarkozy is quick to shower optimism by refusing to "provide formal weather data." Since policies are refusing to move dates, but ministers continue to publicly raise a happy ending in "promptly" or as the spokesman of the French government Baroin December 21, which speaks of a "process liberation in progress ".
The same day, Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said he hoped the release "in a few days," adding that the outcome of this case was in the hands of Afghan authorities. Groupe_UMP_AN sent. - The news video online. Far from reassuring remarks irritate families. "We expected a release in September and at Christmas ...
It's always deferred. I'd rather they say nothing," he said Tuesday Taponier Arlette, the mother of Stephen. "The ministers come forward too," adds her husband Gerard. On the occasion of his first visit to French troops from Afghanistan on Saturday, the new defense minister Alain Juppe was cautious, refusing to "raise false hopes." On Tuesday, a video of two men, obtained a few days earlier by the Quai d'Orsay, which dates from mid-November, was released to relatives.
The two men appeared bearded and emaciated and record contains no claim of kidnappers. "They are healthy. That is all, it knows no more. It is very short as a message," said Stephane's father Taponier Gerard Taponier. Only good news: this new movie has been called "hand in hand," said the spokesperson of the Quai d'Orsay, which attest the existence of "clean channel" between the kidnappers and officials French.
A national day of action year to the day after the disappearance of two journalists, many events, rallies and concerts are planned in several cities in France. In Paris, the faces of the two journalists are projected onto the Arc de Triomphe since Wednesday morning. Above appears the message "Free and Stéphane Hervé and their three companions." "By projecting their faces on the Arc de Triomphe, we wish to remind the French authorities that the promises would be freed soon do we enough.
To President Nicolas Sarkozy to make the fate of two journalists a national priority," said Reporters Without Borders, the source of this operation. The faces of Stephane Taponier and Hervé Ghesquière projected onto the Arc de Triomphe, Wednesday, December 29. / FRED DUFOUR
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