Posted on 06/18/2002 12:23:47 PM PDT by Shermy
WASHINGTON--Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said Monday he will leave later this week on a "peace initiative'' that will take him to countries in Africa and the Mideast.
"I think I have greater currency in the Arab and Muslim world'' than '' . . . the president and [Secretary of State] Colin Powell,'' Farrakhan said when asked what he could achieve.
He declined to list the nations he intends to visit, citing security precautions.
In past trips, Farrakhan has exploited loopholes in U.S. travel bans to visit Libya and Iraq.
Farrakhan said "if allowed," he would like to visit Israel and the West Bank and meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat. Farrakhan said he was not certain if Israel would let him in.
With tensions continuing in the region, Israeli security forces tightly control entry to the West Bank and Gaza. The Israeli embassy in Washington was contacted by Farrakhan and an official said it was not possible to say if Israel would admit Farrakhan because "It's not entirely clear yet what his travel plans are."
Statements released by the Nation of Islam said Farrakhan's itinerary indicates he also intends to travel to Italy, Egypt, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Farrakhan, at an event billed as a news conference but packed with hundreds of his followers, did add Sudan and Morocco to the itinerary. He said he would leave Thursday or Friday and did not want to discuss details because "I don't want the trip to be sabotaged.''
Another Chicagoan, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson of the Rainbow/PUSH coalition, earlier this month put on hold a peace mission he planned to Israel and the West Bank. Jackson suspended his trip after renewed violence in the area and what was then Sharon's upcoming trip to Washington to meet with President Bush.
Farrakhan urged the U.S. not to attack Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein because nothing against Saddam has "been proved.''
"As a citizen, I have the right of free speech,'' Farrakhan said, adding he saw no purpose in keeping silent.
He sought and was not granted an appointment with Powell for a briefing on his trip. Farrakhan said he did have a phone conversation with William Burns, assistant secretary of state for the Near East.
Farrakhan's delegation will include the Rev. Al Sampson, pastor of the Fernwood United Methodist Church on Chicago's South Side.
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I think I have greater currency in the Arab and Muslim world'' than '' . . . the president and [Secretary of State] Colin Powell,'' Farrakhan said when asked what he could achieve
Delusional, even without going into intra-Islam disputes about Farrakhan's group.
I think the purpose of the trip is to fill the collection plate.
Don't let him back into the country.
This should be interesting. I'll be watching CNN for his outrage at the slavery and other human atrocities.
Ya-a-a-a-a-a-a-y Farrakhan !
You go-o-o-o-o-o Farrakhan
Stay there.......Farrakhan !!!
...And this a marching song for you...
Farrakhan for President
Dah-ti-dah-ti-dah !
Farrakhan for President
Dah-ti-dah-ti-dah !
He's the Man the Ay-rabs choose-
Hates the Ofays and the Jews-
Farrakhan for President
Dah-ti-dah-ti-dah !!
I'm holding out for deepest Atlantic, personally.
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