'Everybody wants to ask intimate questions - that is not their business'

Natascha Kampusch, the 18 year-old Austrian girl who was found last week after being missing for eight years, has issued a public statement requesting privacy and time to come to terms with her circumstances. The statement, read out at a news conference yesterday (28 August) by her psychiatrist Max Friedrich, states that Natascha does not want to, and will not, answer any questions about personal or intimate details. She threatens legal action against those who go against her wishes.

The teenager, described as 'very intelligent and very eloquent', expects her person and privacy to be respected. According to her lawyer Monika Pinterits, 'she is not the poor victim, she is an adult young woman'.

Natascha recognises that her adolescent years were different from those of her contemporaries but says that, overall, she doesn't have the feeling that she has missed out on anything. In fact, she says she has been 'spared' such teenage pitfalls as smoking, drinking and hanging out in bad company.

In her statement (which can be read in full here), Natascha comes across as articulate and calm. Showing a wry talent for understatement, she describes the police investigative team as being 'a bit curious' adding 'That's their job, however'.

Nevertheless, her resentment at the media intrusion is clear. In common with most girls of her age, she is angry that footage of her room has been shown to the public. She feels 'perhaps a little bit patronised' and emphasises 'I will determine myself when I will contact journalists'.

Natascha concludes with the plea 'Give me some time until I can tell the story myself'.

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