The Society of Professional Journalists applauds talks between United Nations officials and Bosnian Serb forces to obtain the release of Christian Science Monitor correspondent David Rohde.

"We're glad to hear the talks are under way," said G. Kelly Hawes, president of the Society. "We hope those talks will result in a quick release for Mr. Rohde. Our thoughts are with him and his family. In the best of all possible worlds, journalists would be able to do their jobs without putting their lives on the line. Today we live in an imperfect world, and journalists face life-threatening situations daily in their attempts to report the world's news."

Rohde, East European correspondent for the newspaper, has been missing since Oct. 29 when he was detained after entering Bosnian territory held by the Serbs.