| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq |
| Baghdad tosses CNN |
| 2003-03-22 |
| Two CNN reporters expelled from Baghdad were safe in Jordan on Saturday and don't expect to be returning anytime soon. Nic Robertson described how an official from the ministry of information summoned him and his crew from their hotel room at about 3:30 p.m. Baghdad time on Friday to say they had to leave. The official said, "you're worse than the American administration. Get out of Iraq! Get out immediately!" Robertson said. They probably had to use that sort of language, since Nic is dumb as a post... He said the official gave a list of reasons, which Robertson said were "ludicrous." Robertson, Rym Brahimi, producer Ingrid Formanek and photographer Brian Puchaty had been the only staff members of a U.S.-based TV network still in Baghdad. They waited until daylight Saturday to drive to Jordan. In a telephone interview, Robertson speculated that the authorities didn't want Iraqi citizens — many of whom can see CNN — to view pictures of the country losing territory to American troops. "One of the only ways they can vent their anger and frustration is on the international media organizations," Robertson said, "and CNN is the one they see most and know most." Baghdadis will continue to see pieces of their country being occupied in the next few days, and probably sometime around Wednesday they can see it up close and personal... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #2 On the other hand, Rym is cute as a button. If only she knew what a gas station was. |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-03-22 12:06:35 |
| #1 I had to turn this interview off when Formanek said, "Well, both sides try to control the media as much as they can..." She wasn't in Iraq, then, with a gun pointed at her head. She was in Jordan. That's right, Ingrid. We're just like they are. Keep repeating that to yourself. |
| Posted by: Angie Schultz 2003-03-22 10:56:27 |