Iraq asks citizens to hand over satellite phones

Reuters | Wednesday, April 2, 2003

[JohnHuang2]

Iraq asks citizens to hand over satellite phones

BAGHDAD, April 2 (Reuters) - Iraq asked citizens to hand over any portable satellite telephones on Wednesday, saying the equipment was being used by "agents" to guide U.S. and British bombs and missiles.

All satellite communications equipment is banned in Iraq but, in a statement read on Iraqi state television, a government spokesman said many Iraqis had such equipment.

The spokesman said Iraqis should hand over their satellite phones "before it is too late." He said a receipt would be issued for every surrendered phone that would be returned after the war.

"Such equipment have been used by agents involved in treacherous acts by U.S. agents," the spokesman said.

Anyone who failed to turn in their satellite phones would be subjected the full force of the law, the spokesman said, without elaborating.

Iraq announced last week the arrest of three Iraqis allegedly involved in guiding U.S. and British air raids. A portable satellite phone was one of the "spying equipment" found with the men.

Iraq is not alone in cracking down on satellite phone use during wartime. Some reporters with U.S. forces in Iraq have been banned from using Thuraya-brand satellite phones, apparently because of fears the signal could be intercepted.

At least one journalist's handset has been confiscated.

[JohnHuang2]

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Quote of the Day by The Wizard

[Zavien Doombringer]

Now would be a good time to invest in Iridium.
http://www.iridium.com

[bucephalus]

"Iraq asked citizens to hand over any portable satellite telephones on Wednesday, saying the equipment was being used by "agents" to guide U.S. and British bombs and missiles."

Where's the BBC saying that the Iraqi High Command (Nonsense On Stilts) didn't war game for this contingency?

[js1138]

I think Iridium is a wholly owned subsidiary of "The Company".

[Lijahsbubbe]

So they can just turn in the phones and the pens at the same time then?

"He said a receipt would be issued for every surrendered phone that would be returned after the war."

Now THAT'S funny!

[Zavien Doombringer]

I believe you are right....

[BlueNgold]

He said a receipt would be issued for every surrendered phone that would be returned after the war.

Hmmm ... a Saddam Regime receipt .. sounds about as valuable as a wooden nickel. Perhaps they can issue France some more oil contracts while they are getting their paperwork straight.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

He said with a straight face a receipt would be issued for every surrendered phone that would be returned after the war.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[eyespysomething]

No no, this MUST be propaganda from our own government. The great Iraqi gov't would never require its citizens to give up these. They aren't like that!

[magua]

this could really tip the bagdad public over the edge big time.

[Catspaw]

They want the sat phones? It looks like we've destroyed their other methods of communication & this is what's left.

I did like that bit about the Iraqis would be giving receipts, though. Can't say these people don't have a sense of humor.

[joesnuffy]

yep....boy were they ever lucky to buy it up on the cheap thanks to MOT stock holders
LOL

[Congressman Billybob]

Did anyone else have a flashback to the movie, Dr. Strangelove? Colonel Jack Ripper (Sterling Hayden) tells Lt. Lionel Mandrake (Peter Sellers) to "round up all the radios on the base." Mandrake rounds up all of them, but turns one on and discovers the truth, that WW III has not begun.

What we have here is an equally crazy leader, equally paranoid that his troops (and people) will find out the truth.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, not yet up on UPI, and FR, "The Berlin Solution to the Baghdad Problem."

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

[Nucluside]

I'm somewhat ignorant of satellite phone technology, but a quick thought: Could they be trying to acquire all satellite phones so they could "clear the trees" to locate our special ops people?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

"Hey Saddam, can you hear me now?"

[Mark17]

All satellite communications equipment is banned in Iraq but, in a statement read on Iraqi state television, a government spokesman said many Iraqis had such equipment.

I wonder if anyone who turns one in to the government will be executed for it. Isn't that the Iraqi style?

[Sloth]

He said a receipt would be issued for every surrendered phone that would be returned after the war.

Yeah, the same time that 'Oil for Food' program resumes.

[Lee Heggy]

Bat Guano-"Ok, I'm gonna get your money for ya but if you don't get the president of the United States on the phone do you know what's gonna happen to you?"

Mandrake-"No, what?"

Guano-"Your gonna have to answer to the coca cola company."

[bigjoesaddle]

Iraq asks citizens to hand over satellite phones

Does this mean you can tell the Iraqi offical "Naw, I think I'll keep it", he'll say "Oh, OK, no problem".