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Alert

RSF requests audience with Khatami to discuss deteriorating press freedom situation in Iran

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 11 December 1998 RSF letter requesting an
audience with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to discuss recent violence
against journalists and the deteriorating press freedom situation in Iran:





**Updates IFEX alerts of 10 December, 9 December, 8 December, 7 December, 3
December and 27 November 1998**


His Excellency Mohammad Khatami
President
Islamic Republic of Iran
Tehran, Iran

Paris, 11 December 1998

Mr. President,

Reporters sans frontières, an independent organisation for the defence of
press freedom worldwide, is concerned by the recent succession of
"disappearances" and suspect deaths of writers and journalists in Tehran:
the disappearance of Pirouz Davani in August, assassination of Darioush and
Parvaneh Forouhar on 22 November, suspicious death of journalist Majid
Charif on 25 November, assassination of writer Mohamad Mokhtari on 3
December and disappearance of Mohamad Jafar Pouyandeh on 9 december are
cause for concern.

We wish to visit Iran to further our research and meet with Iranian
authorities, media and civil society associations.

Conscious of your respect for press freedom and dialogue between peoples, we
would be grateful if you would use your influence with the relevant
authorities who might allow the travel of Reporters sans frontières
representatives to Tehran.

I hope you will look favourably upon our request. Please accept the
expression of my best regards.

Yours faithfully,

Robert Ménard
General Secretary