Australian journo goes missing

2004-06-30 20:08

Sydney - Australian officials are urgently trying to establish the whereabouts of a Melbourne-based journalist missing on assignment in Afghanistan, a foreign affairs spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The journalist, Carmela Baranowska, was working for Australian network SBS and has not been heard of since Monday.

The spokesperson said Canberra has asked various authorities in Afghanistan, including the Canadian consulate, which assists Australia in the country, to help locate the woman.

"We have no information to substantiate reports of a kidnapping and are urgently trying to establish her whereabouts," the spokesperson said.

SBS spokesperson Verity Leatherhead confirmed Baranowska was working for the network and there had been reports she was "involved in an incident in Afghanistan".

She said an SBS representative was with Baranowska's family while the network tried to establish the veracity of the reports.

"We're all waiting by the phones obviously" she said.

Baranowska, 35, is an award-winning documentary maker who has worked extensively in East Timor.

She left Kabul for Kandahar last week and was believed to be heading to Zabul province, where Taliban remnants have been active against US-led foreign troops in the past month.

- AFP