U.S. EXPELS DOZENS OF SAUDI DIPLOMATS

Middle East Newsline ^ | Last Updated: 01/31/2004 10:31:26 | MENL

[Bobby777]

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has ordered the expulsion of dozens of Saudi diplomats suspected of helping promulgate Al Qaida ideology.

The State Department revoked the diplomatic credentials of the Saudi diplomats in Washington over the last month in an effort to crack down on Saudi efforts to promote Al Qaida interests in the United States. Diplomatic sources said about 70 diplomats and embassy staffers were expelled in late 2003 and dozens of others were ordered to leave the United States by mid-February. Many of those expelled were said to have worked in the office of the Saudi defense attache.

The Saudi diplomats, in a determination made by the FBI and Homeland Security Department, were said to have abused their diplomatic privileges in the United States. The sources said most of the diplomats were responsible for operations of the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences in America [IIASA] located in Fairfax, Va.

In all, about 70 Saudi diplomats have left the United States since January, the sources said. They did not include Saudi ambassador to Washington, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, the longest serving diplomat in the United States.

NOTE: The above is not the full item.

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[Bobby777]

sorry for the SHOUTING title ... it's the format on the link ...

[Bobby777]

I don't have another link for confirmation, but I hope it's true ... may the screen door hit 'em on their way out ...

[ChadGore]

Thank You GWB

[tcuoohjohn]

Odd...I don't find this story anywhere but the Islamic propaganda machine, Al Jazeera et al.

[Bobby777]

and check this out ...

"The State Department revoked the diplomatic credentials "

Perhaps the State Department is waking up? ... or they are finally becoming part of the solution?

[hadaclueonce]

Throw em all out

[Bobby777]

yeah, I wondered why it wasn't on some of the news services ... of course the post-9/11-$10-million-check-bearing-Jew-hating-Saudi-prince Alwaleed (sp) owns Citibank, so there's no telling what influence they have over media even here in the USA ...

[silversky]

Good move. I've been starving to see some good action lately, ANY good action.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

They hate the West. Why are they here ?

[Bobby777]

the USA is their cash cow ... it started with petro dollars and they've bought up some of the most valuable real estate (the USA / U.S. corporations) with those petro dollars ...

there is no economy in the Middle East other than Israel ... none to speak of ...

[b4its2late]

Great news!

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

Saudi Arabia: Diplomatic Visas
Daily Press Briefing
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
January 28, 2004

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2004/28565.htm

[AngrySpud]

This news was posted a couple of days ago, can't remember the news agency source. My comment at the time?

The Israelis bulldoze the homes of suicide bombers, and we should permanently shut down this Islamic school ... same thing.

[Bobby777]

thanks for the link! ... I shall post the content of that link ...

Taken Questions
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
January 28, 2004
Question Taken at January 28, 2004 Daily Press Briefing

Saudi Arabia: Diplomatic Visas

Question: Do you have any reaction to a report that several Saudi diplomats have been required to depart the US in two weeks?

Answer: From time to time, the Department learns of cases where persons who are accredited to it no longer are performing the duties for which they originally were accredited. In those instances, it is customary for the Department to withdraw their accreditation. When this occurs, they must depart the country.

Question: Can you state specifically what these diplomats were doing?

Answer: As a condition of their appointments, persons accredited at embassies must perform duties directly related to and in support of the embassy. When it comes to the Department’s attention that they no longer are performing duties on a full-time basis at the embassy, they lose their entitlement to this status.

Question: Are these people a threat to the United States?

Answer: The Department’s action was related solely to the fact that these individuals did not appear to be engaged full time in the conduct of diplomatic duties within the Saudi Embassy.

Question: Are they involved in fundraising?

Answer: Again, the Department’s action was not based on any other information regarding these individuals’ activities. I have no information regarding their possible involvement in fundraising.

Question: What are they doing?

Answer: The Department recently obtained information that subsequent to their accreditation at the embassy, the persons in question were not engaged in the conduct of administrative or other duties within the Embassy, and were therefore not entitled to diplomatic status. We have asked the Saudi Mission to arrange for the immediate departure of these individuals.

Question: Will you follow up to ensure that's done?

Answer: Yes.

2004/95

[End]

Released on January 28, 2004

[Bobby777]

agreed

[TomGuy]

[Bobby777]

LOL ... is that the Sayonara Kitty? ... good one ... (not sure how to spell "sayonara" though ...)

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

Other links, the number seems to vary;
http://www.paknews.com/specialNews.php?id=2522&date1=2004-01-29
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N29309397.htm
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=72899&Sn=WORL&IssueID=26316

[Bobby777]

appreciate any further info ... thanks ...

[tcuoohjohn]

Very Interesting..Curiously the press seems to be asleep on this.


Taken Questions
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
January 28, 2004
Question Taken at January 28, 2004 Daily Press Briefing

Saudi Arabia: Diplomatic Visas


Question: Do you have any reaction to a report that several Saudi diplomats have been required to depart the US in two weeks?

Answer: From time to time, the Department learns of cases where persons who are accredited to it no longer are performing the duties for which they originally were accredited. In those instances, it is customary for the Department to withdraw their accreditation. When this occurs, they must depart the country.

Question: Can you state specifically what these diplomats were doing?

Answer: As a condition of their appointments, persons accredited at embassies must perform duties directly related to and in support of the embassy. When it comes to the Department’s attention that they no longer are performing duties on a full-time basis at the embassy, they lose their entitlement to this status.

(NON-ANSWER..answered a question that wasn't asked)

Question: Are these people a threat to the United States?

Answer: The Department’s action was related solely to the fact that these individuals did not appear to be engaged full time in the conduct of diplomatic duties within the Saudi Embassy.

( NON- ANSWER)

Question: Are they involved in fundraising?

Answer: Again, the Department’s action was not based on any other information regarding these individuals’ activities. I have no information regarding their possible involvement in fundraising.

Question: What are they doing?

Answer: The Department recently obtained information that subsequent to their accreditation at the embassy, the persons in question were not engaged in the conduct of administrative or other duties within the Embassy, and were therefore not entitled to diplomatic status. We have asked the Saudi Mission to arrange for the immediate departure of these individuals.

( NON- ANSWER)

Question: Will you follow up to ensure that's done?

Answer: Yes.