12 February 2004, 11:11
US journalist found in North Caucasus
An American journalist presumed missing in the North Caucasian region of Russia for three days was seen "alive and kicking" on Wednesday morning.
Rebecca Santana, 32, traveled to Mozdok, North Osetia, on assignment, but when she did not file reports as expected, her employer Cox Newspapers alerted the consular service of the US Embassy in Moscow.
"She's totally safe, at least," a reporter from the Los Angeles Times' Moscow bureau said on Wednesday. "I spoke to a person whom she interviewed who saw her this morning [Wednesday] alive and kicking. She knows she's been missed and is going to call her office and friends."
The reporter could not confirm media reports that Santana went to Grozny, not Mozdok as planned.
Editors note: See also the article "US journalist disappears in North Osetia".
Source: Interfax News Agency
