Pleading for a reporter's release

(CNN) -- The managing editor of the Wall Street Journal appealed via e-mail for the release of reporter Daniel Pearl, kidnapped in Pakistan a week ago.

"My name is Paul Steiger, and I am Danny Pearl's boss at the Wall Street Journal," Steiger said in the text of an e-mail sent Monday. "I would like to work with you to bring about Danny's safe release."

In the e-mail, which appeared Tuesday in the online edition of the Journal, Steiger rejected the kidnappers' assertion that Pearl worked for the CIA.

"Danny is a professional journalist and has been for more than eleven years. He is well known internationally as a reporter," Steiger said. "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."

Pearl vanished January 23 after leaving his Karachi quarters to conduct an interview with an important source, the Journal reported. He did not check in that evening, as he was supposed to do, and has not been heard from since.

Steiger also mentioned Pearl's wife in his e-mail.

"I would like you to know that she is greatly distressed over Danny's situation," Steiger wrote. "She hopes that you will come to understand that keeping Danny will not alter U.S. Government policy or accomplish your goals."

In closing, Steiger wrote: "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 e-mail address."