France hopeful over fate of kidnapped journalists

The French government met for crisis talks today over the fate of two hostages in Iraq, but said their release was still possible and that discretion and patience are needed.

Foreign minister Michel Barnier reported to President Jacques Chirac on his week-long visit to the Middle East, which garnered widespread condemnation from religious and political leaders there of the kidnapping of reporters Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot.

“We have serious reasons to believe that they are both in good health and that a favourable outcome is possible,” Barnier said after a 90-minute meeting with Chirac.

“We are working with all our energy. We are working calmly, with caution and discretion. It is a condition of their security,” Barnier added.

The government has given few details of its efforts to win their release, other than saying that no stone is being left unturned and that French diplomats, intelligence agents and friends in the region and beyond are involved.

Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin was to meet with Barnier and other ministers involved in the hostage drama for more talks this afternoon.

The reporters, friends who have written books together and were well versed in the Middle East, disappeared sixteen days ago on a trip to the southern city of Najaf.

France refused to bow to a demand from militants that claimed to have the two men that a French law banning Islamic head scarves from state schools be revoked. The law went into effect as planned last week.