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US Seeks Expulsion of IraqisThu, March 06, 2003Source: Ananova NewsWashington has asked 60 countries to expel alleged Iraqi agents, whom officials claim may be poised to attack US interests overseasWashington has asked 60 countries to expel alleged Iraqi agents, whom officials claim may be poised to attack US interests overseas. Two UN-based Iraqi diplomats have already been ordered to leave the US. Iraq's UN Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri says the two have been given 72 hours to leave. The State Department has identified them as Nazih Abdul Latif Rahman and Yehia Naeem Suaoud. "The two attaches were engaged in activities outside the scope of their official function," the department said. "Federal law enforcement authorities deemed the activities to be harmful to our national security." The men have the ranks of attaches but are not on the list of personnel accredited to the UN, Mr Al-Douri says. "They are the security personnel of the mission, the guards," the ambassador added. The US government has identified 300 Iraqis in 60 countries whom officials want expelled. State Department spokesman Philip Reeker confirmed the expulsion request but offered no information on the number of countries or their identities, or on how many suspected Iraqi agents are involved. He says the action has no bearing on possible US military action against Iraq. |
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