U.S. expelling Iraqi journalist for being "harmful to U.S. interests"

Associated Press ^ | Feb. 14, 2003 | DAFNA LINZER

[grimalkin]

UNITED NATIONS - The U.S. government expelled an Iraqi journalist who covers the United Nations (news - web sites) for the official Iraqi News Agency because he was considered "harmful to the security of the United States," the journalist and U.S. officials said Friday.

Mohammed Allawi, who has reported from the United Nations for the past two years, said he received the expulsion letter signed by U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte at his Manhattan home on Thursday. The letter said that he and his family, including his five children, had 15 days to leave the United States.

"The letter say I have to leave because I am harmful to U.S. interests," Allawi said.

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Allawi "has engaged in activities considered to be harmful to the security of the United States and those activities constitute an abuse of privilege of residence in this country."

Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed al-Douri said he was stunned by the decision.

"He's a very polite and decent man. He's always in his office or with his colleagues, so I don't see how he could be a threat," al-Douri said.

Al-Douri said he wasn't sure what recourse would be available but that he was studying the matter. The ambassador also complained about U.S. harassment of Iraqi diplomats. He and others at the Iraqi mission have often complained that the United States tries to coerce diplomats into defecting.

[Madame Dufarge]

The letter said that he and his family, including his five children, had 15 days to leave the United States.

Probably too much time by 14 days.

[white trash redneck]

One middle easterner down, lots more to go.

[InspiredPath1]

IN A RELATED STORY - The reporters at CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN and the New York Times have refused to check their own mailboxes for fear of what they might find.

[johnb838]

Let's hope that this is the first of many more to follow.

[syriacus]

I doubt the busy officials would have bothered taking time to deal with him, if he didn't deserve it.

[SquirrelKing]

"The letter say I have to leave because I am harmful to U.S. interests..."


I'm sorry, did you prefer tar and feathers?

[VaBthang4]

"Al-Douri said he wasn't sure what recourse would be available..."

Hahaha...what a putz.

"Haaappppyyyyyy Trraaaiiiilllllllllsss to yoooouuuuuu..."

[maranatha]

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Allawi "has engaged in activities considered to be harmful to the security of the United States and those activities constitute an abuse of privilege of residence in this country."

I found the reason very interesting. Why couldn't the same thing be applied to that Muslim anti-American anti-war A.N.S.W.E.R. woman who stood before the crowds in D.C. and called our president a liar and other horrible things. She said she was not a citizen. Why not all of the students here on visas who participate in anti-American organizations and spew vile things about us?

[Arpege92]

Send the terrorist...uh....reporter to Germany or France where he can be with his own!

[SquirrelKing]

"...not a citizen..."


Good point. Seems that one price we pay for our liberty is to be forced to listen to various shower- and razor-challenged individuals and their corny polemics. Still, it allows us to speak up too. She might get a different reaction in Beijing or Libya, but you don't see her there! Funny thing, not only is her right to speech protected, so is our right to fling water balloons. I'm going to put some flea soap in mine...

[Damagro]

Hope he gets home in time for the bombing