E.F.L. Strange that, when the media is screaming about the looting going on, their own are trying to ship looted materials home...
Several members of the media and a U.S. serviceman have been caught attempting to ship Iraqi paintings, weapons and other war souvenirs to America, U.S. authorities said Wednesday. At least 15 paintings, gold-plated firearms, ornamental knives, bonds and other items have been seized at airports in Atlanta, Boston, London and Washington in the last week, according to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. âThese seizures should serve as a warning to anyone who would take advantage of the transition currently under way in the newly liberated Iraq,â Commissioner Robert Bonner said.
| Ruh roh... Somebody's stepped in it... |
âThese items are not souvenirs or war trophies but stolen goods that belong to the people of Iraq,â said Michael Garcia of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency in the Department of Homeland Security. Benjamin James Johnson, who worked as an engineer for Fox News Channel, is the only person charged or identified by the government.
| Heard on the radio yesterday that Ben's looking for a new job... |
A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., charges Johnson tried to bring 12 paintings into the United States last Thursday. They were contained in a large cardboard box that was examined by Customs agents at Dulles International Airport outside Washington. An affidavit filed with the criminal complaint says that Johnson, who accompanied U.S. troops in Baghdad, gathered up the paintings at a palace that belonged to Odai Hussein, one of Iraqi President Saddam Husseinâs sons. The paintings depict Saddam and Odai.
| They're painted in flourescent colors, on black velvet. Very tasteful... |
While the historical value of the paintings is deemed to be negligible, they are believed to have considerable resale value given their ties to Saddam Hussein, the government said. An examination of Johnsonâs luggage also turned up 40 Iraqi Monetary Bonds and a visitorâs badge from the U.S. embassy in Kuwait. Johnson, 27, of Alexandria, Va., has not been arrested but is to appear before a federal magistrate next Tuesday.
| Ummm... I'm not too sure how good this case might be. The Iraqi bonds are probably worth just about the paper they're printed on. My grandaddy used to have some pre-1917 Russian bonds that he'd show off to people â nice engraving and everything, but worthless, except to collectors. And pictures of Sammy are probably more common than camels in Iraq â hanging on just about every wall in every home, to include the bathroom wall. If they have "historical value" it'll probably be negligible, and truth to tell the Iraqi people will be glad enough to get rid of them. |
Johnson initially told Customs officials he was given the paintings by Iraqi citizens, then said he had planned to keep them âfor decorationâ and to provide one to his employer, the affidavit said. It is U.S. policy that all such items belong to the Iraqi people. Johnson worked for six years as a satellite truck engineer for Fox, which fired him after learning he had acknowledged taking the paintings, a network statement said.
| Well, I think he should get his job back. I'm not even sure if there was a crime committed, and if it was it looks like it was on the order of jaywalking... |
Customs bureau officials said an unidentified U.S. serviceman attempted to ship a rifle, pistol, and AK-47 assault rifle â all gold-plated â taken from an Iraqi government facility to a military base in the United States. The serviceman was shipping from an address in Kuwait to Fort Stewart, Ga. The items were seized last Friday at Londonâs Heathrow Airport.
| This guy, on the other hand, is in trouble... |
An unidentified Boston Herald reporter attempted to bring a painting, wall ornament and other items into the country through Bostonâs Logan International Airport on Saturday, federal authorities said. Additional Iraqi items, including a painting, a gold-plated emblem, a gun holster and a knife, that were being shipped by several other members of the media were seized at Dulles on Monday. |