Iraq and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq August 18, 2004

John Negroponte
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq
Embassy of the United States of America
Baghdad
Iraq
c/o Mike Spiros
E-mail: spirosmj@state.gov

Your Excellency:

The Overseas Press Club of America (OPC) writes to support your efforts to find our colleague and member, Micah Garen who disappeared on 13 August near Nassiriyah.

Mr. Garen is a dedicated journalist whose main interest over the past years has been the preservation of archeological treasures in Iraq, in situ. He is a distinguished reporter, dedicated to the dual goals of honest journalism and the preservation of Iraqi history. He has been engaged currently in the production of a documentary film on Iraq@quot;s cultural history. And the archeological sites at risk inside the war zones.

We have been informed that the U.S. forces have been working very hard to return him to his family, safe and sound. We very much appreciate your efforts and would also appreciate your keeping us informed of your progress. We wish to keep this case in the forefront of the public mind.

Thanking you for your efforts, we are

Very truly yours,

Robert E. Sullivan Norman A. Schorr
Freedom of the Press Committee

August 18, 2004

H.E. Iyad Allawi
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Baghdad
Republic of Iraq
c/o Mike Spiros
E-mail: spirosmj@state.gov

Your Excellency:

The Overseas Press Club of America (OPC) writes to support your efforts to find our colleague and member, Micah Garen who disappeared 13 August near Nasiriyah.

Mr. Garen is a dedicated journalist whose main interest over the past years has been the preservation of archeological treasures in Iraq, in situ. He is a distinguished reporter, dedicated to the dual goals of honest journalism and the preservation of Iraqi history. He has been engaged currently in the production of a documentary film on Iraq@quot;s cultural history and the archeological sites at risk inside the war zones.

We have been informed that your government has been working very hard to return him to his family, safe and sound. We very much appreciate your efforts and would also appreciate your keeping us informed of your progress. We wish to keep this case in the forefront of the public mind.

Thanking you for your efforts, we are

Respectfully yours,

Robert E. Sullivan Norman Schorr
Freedom of the Press Committee