(IPA/IFEX) – The following is an 8 March 2006 IPA press release: US CALLS ALLEGED AL-JAZEERA BOMBING THREAT “UNFOUNDED” AND “PREPOSTEROUS” The International Publishers Association (IPA) welcomes the assurance it just received from the US State Department that the news story about US discussions of a violent strike against Al-Jazeera is “unfounded” and “preposterous”. Following […]
(IPA/IFEX) – The following is an 8 March 2006 IPA press release:
US CALLS ALLEGED AL-JAZEERA BOMBING THREAT “UNFOUNDED” AND “PREPOSTEROUS”
The International Publishers Association (IPA) welcomes the assurance it just received from the US State Department that the news story about US discussions of a violent strike against Al-Jazeera is “unfounded” and “preposterous”.
Following late November 2005 reports in the British press that President Bush had raised the idea of bombing the Al-Jazeera TV station, IPA had sent a letter to the US Under-Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Karen Hughes, seeking more information regarding the alleged statement by President Bush.
Ana Maria Cabanellas, President of the IPA, says: “We note with great satisfaction the reiterated assertion that America has ‘an enduring commitment to freedom’, including ‘rights of free speech and assembly’.”
Lars Grahn, Chair of IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee, adds: “This is an important piece of news for IPA, for the promotion of freedom of expression worldwide, and for those who had felt attacked by the allegations.”
