Open letter to President Sarkozy about French journalist who disappeared five years ago

Dear Mr. President, We are just days away from 16 April, the fifth anniversary of French journalist Guy-André Kieffer's abduction and disappearance in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. You were good enough to receive his family on 22 August 2007 and you made them a number of promises which have been partially kept. We thank you for this. However, we are no longer sure that this case is still a priority for France, as you said it was during that meeting. Despite exemplary work by the French judges in charge of this case, their investigation has encountered many obstacles arising from the fact that leading Ivorian figures are named in this case. Mr. President, you are more than ever the person who can offer us hope of finding out what happened to Guy-André. You have demonstrated an ability to intervene positively in the most delicate international matters. This case will not be solved without significant political help from you. With just days to go to this sad anniversary, we therefore urge you to again make this case one of your priorities by interceding with the Ivorian authorities and getting them to finally do what is necessary for the truth to emerge. They could give a clear signal of goodwill by satisfying one of the main requests being made by all the civil parties to the case, which is to hand the leading witness, Michel Legré, over to the French judicial authorities. Sincerely, Canelle and Sébastien Kieffer Guy-André Kieffer's children Jean-François Julliard Reporters Without Borders Secretary-General Aline Richard Committee for the Truth about Guy-André Kieffer Firmine Richard Organisation of People from Overseas For Guy-André Kieffer Françoise Loeillet Guy-André Kieffer Breton Support Committee