Carsten Thomassen killed at the Serena
on 15 Jan 2008
| 1
The
gunfire and bomb blasts that rocked the
only luxury hotel in Kabul yesterday killed Norwegian journalist
Carsten Thomassen. He wrote for the Oslo newspaper
Dagbladet. He was reporting on the visit of
Jonas Gahr Støre, the Norwegian Foreign Minister. The
International federation of Journalists condemns the attack,
"This attack shows that Afghanistan is one of the world’s most dangerous spots for journalists,†said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “It is a terrible and sad day for Norwegian journalism. We send a message of deepest sympathy to the friends, family and colleagues of Carsten Thomassen. His death is a poignant reminder of the sacrifice and terrible losses being endured by media in conflict zones. It will strengthen our resolve to reduce the risks journalists face.â€link
Oslo base journalist
Kristine Lowe has more on her personal blog.
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The Afghanistan Foreign Press Association strongly condemns the heinous and cowardly attack on the Kabul Serena Hotel on Monday, 14 January 2008, and deeply laments the tragic loss of our colleague, Carsten Thomassen of Dagbladet.
This crime should be viewed as a development of the utmost gravity, a clear signifier of the deterioration of the security situation throughout Afghanistan, which now has even reached this well-guarded symbol of the country's reconstruction. The presence among the victims, and those who were threatened, of journalists simply trying to foster an understanding of the country and aid workers striving to save its endangered children is emblematic of the utter criminality of this act under any possible conception of the conduct of war.
AFPA extends its condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, and offers its best wishes for a speedy recovery to all of those wounded and traumatized. Allow us please to extend our especial sympathy to the family of Mr.
Thomassen and to his understandably shaken colleagues at Dagbladet. May they be consoled by the knowledge that Carsten died in the faithful performance of his duty.
Vanni Cappelli
President