Posted on 02/15/2003 9:03:24 PM PST by Nachum
The US government has quietly barred two Saudi Arabian Airlines pilots from flying in the United States on the grounds that they "pose a security threat," The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
The report said the case was the first test of a controversial new rule that allows US authorities to take away flying licenses without disclosing any evidence.
The cases against Maan Hassan Zarie and Tarek Hassan Jifry stem from the Transportation Security Administration's new responsibility to conduct threat assessments of all pilots, mechanics and flight instructors authorised to work or fly in the United States, the Journal said.
The Saudi men are appealing the ruling.
The 2001 Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which created the TSA, authorises the government to bar anyone found to be a threat while working in the industry, according to the report.
The Saudi "airmen's certificates" were revoked last month without public notice, the paper said.
Saudi Arabia has been criticised for not doing enough to curb fundraising for terrorists purposes.
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers who took part in the September 11 attacks were Saudi nationals.
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