Posted on 08/20/2004 8:00:45 AM PDT by Kennesaw
Mexico detains 8 from Armenia, Iran, Iraq
By Anna Cearley UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER August 20, 2004
Mexican authorities detained eight people from Armenia, Iran and Iraq at a Mexicali hotel yesterday after exchanging information with the FBI, Mexican police said.
The six men and two women, one of whom is eight months pregnant, were found about 11 a.m. by members of the State Preventive Police at the hotel, in the city's center.
The continuing threat of a terrorist attack has raised concerns that terrorists could try to enter the United States from Mexico.
Mexican immigration officials are interviewing the detainees and examining their documents to determine whether they are in the country legally. U.S. authorities are interested in learning if any have ties to groups intent on harming the United States.
Based on initial interviews, most of those being held appear to have come from Armenia after fleeing religious persecution in Iran and Iraq, said Alfredo Arenas Moreno, the international liaison for the State Preventive Police.
The group appears to have flown from Moscow to Mexico City and then to have made its way north to Mexicali.
Baja California has historically been a conduit for Middle Easterners, particularly Iraqi Catholics, or Chaldeans, some of whom try to seek asylum in the United States. It wasn't clear if any of the detainees are Chaldean.
One of the detainees appeared to be a smuggler, and another was overseeing the group's transportation from Armenia to Mexicali, according to the State Preventive Police.
Four apparently are legal residents of the United States, and Mexican authorities were preparing to arrange interviews for the FBI.
Anna Cearley: (619) 542-4595; anna.cearley@uniontrib.com
Been out of the loop following these threads my old friend, had to break away, are things any better for us on this issue with posting?
Incoming.
I know how you muat feel, as you live in a state where the illegals have literally taken over. This administration is hostile to anyone who voices opinions against the illegal invasion.
I can't stand four years of John Kerry and that ketsup person he's married to. I'll vote for Bush because I believe it will either be a slow death with Bush or a fast death with Kerry. I want to live a few more years without being put in a concentration camp for American citizens. And believe me, its coming no matter who we vote for.
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