Bush asked to raise Russia's press freedom violations at meeting with Putin in Moscow

Reporters Without Borders wishes to draw the attention of US President George W. Bush, on the occasion of his 8 May meeting in Moscow with the President of the Russian Federation, on "its concern about a worsening crackdown against journalists in the country since Vladimir Putin came to power." The Paris-based organization said in a letter to President Bush: "Violence against journalists constitutes the most serious threat to press freedom in Russia today because it is carried out with complete impunity. The resulting climate of fear induces widespread self-censorship among journalists". "We would be very grateful if, in your talks with your Russian counterpart, you would raise the issue of the investigation into the murder of Paul Khlebnikov, an American citizen and editor of the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, who was shot to death as he left his office on 9 July 2004. The full facts of this case have yet to be elucidated ". Reporters Without Borders "has expressed reservations about the rigour and the impartiality of the current investigation. We expect Russian prosecutor-general Vladimir Yustinov to establish the whole truth about this murder, for which two suspects who have been extradited from Belarus are expected to go on trial this July. It is to be hoped that those who instigated this odious act will be quickly identified and punished." "Condoleezza Rice, who met Paul Khlebnikov's family on 3 May, expressed the wish to push the investigation forward and we very much welcome this step" the letter said. "Condoleezza Rice, who met Paul Khlebnikov's family on 3 May, expressed the wish to push the investigation forward and we very much welcome this step" the letter said. "Paul Khlebnikov is one of a number of journalists who have been murdered in recent years by killers who have never been tracked down and punished. Reporters Without Borders is still hoping for some solid progress in the investigation into the murder of Alexey Sidorov." "The 31-year-old journalist was stabbed by two men in the parking lot of his apartment block in Togliatti, west central Russia on 9 October 2003. He died shortly afterwards in the arms of his wife. Sidorov had succeeded Valery Ivanov, murdered in similar circumstances on 29 April 2002, as editor of the newspaper Toliattinskoye Obosrenie". "No fewer than 17 journalists were physically assaulted and three others threatened because of their work in 2004 alone."