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U.S. dumps Iraqi journalist...
The U.S. government expelled an Iraqi journalist who covers the United Nations for the official Iraqi News Agency, saying he is "harmful" to the security of the United States. "G'bye. Here's your hat. Get the hell out..." The announcement came as Iraq informed Fox News that its four staff members in Baghdad would have to leave the country. John Stack, vice president for news gathering at Fox News, said his network was not told why its staff would have to leave but that they believed it was retaliation for the expulsion from the United States of Mohammed Allawi, a reporter for the Iraqi News Agency. "We have reason to believe that it's a tit-for-tat situation," Stack said. "We'll probably get the official reason tomorrow in the meeting." Fox News has appealed the expulsion and was scheduled to meet Saturday with Iraqi officials in Baghdad. "Spies! All spies!" Allawi, who has reported from the United Nations for the past two years, said he received the expulsion letter signed by Deputy U.S. Ambassador Patrick Kennedy at his Manhattan home on Thursday. The letter said that he and his family, including his five children, had 15 days to leave the United States. "The letter says I have to leave because I am harmful to U.S. interests," Allawi said. That means he's a spy. A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Allawi "has engaged in activities considered to be harmful to the security of the United States and those activities constitute an abuse of privilege of residence in this country." See what I mean? Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed al-Douri said he was stunned by the decision. "He's very a very polite and decent man. He's always in his office or with his colleagues so I don't see how he could be a threat," al-Douri said. "I can't believe he was that clumsy!" The Fox News staff in Baghdad includes Greg Palkot, a correspondent, and three other staff members. Stack said that if the expulsion is final, they will cover Iraq from neighboring countries. "We will do our best from the perimeter and depend on the various news agencies we subscribe to," he said. "It's a difficult place for a journalist to try to conduct business, and this is just another chapter." "We'll be back when Sammy's dead." Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-02-15 |
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