The text of the e-mail sent by Paul Steiger, managing editor of the Wall Street Journal, to the kidnappers of Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in Pakistan:
An Important Message for You concerning Daniel Pearl.
My name is Paul Steiger and I am Danny Pearl's boss at the Wall Street Journal. I would like to work with you to bring about Danny's safe release.
You should know that Danny has a wife. She is a citizen of France, and also a journalist. She is also six months pregnant with their first child. I would like you to know that she is greatly distressed over Danny's situation. She hopes that you will come to understand that keeping Danny will not alter U.S. Government policy or accomplish your goals.
I think you now understand that Danny is a professional journalist and has been for more than eleven years. He is well known Internationally as a reporter. Currently, he is in Pakistan to provide objective coverage of ongoing events. He has never worked for the CIA or the U.S. Government in any capacity.
Danny Pearl has no ability to change the policies of the U. S. Government or the Government of Pakistan. Nor do I.
Therefore, I would ask that you release Danny so that he may return home safe to his wife and soon-to-be-born child.
I look forward to hearing from you further on this matter so that we can coordinate Danny's safe and timely release. I encourage you to correspond with me further through this email address.
Paul Steiger