Washington suspends Express Visa program for Saudis
Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 7/22/2002

The US Department of State on Saturday suspended a program permitting Saudi citizens to get entry visas to the US through travel agencies for fear of terrorism.

The program has been the subject of strong controversy between the Department of State and the Congress on the ground that this so-called "Express Visa" program does not permit close control of Saudis entering the US and endanger the American national security as well as allows "terrorists" to enter the USA.

A US official announced that this measure was taken because the wrong information published by the mass media created a misconception that would result in eliminating the confidence entrusted by citizens, despite the repeated assertions that every and each visa is controlled.

However, three among the executors of September attacks got their visas through the use of the "Visa Express" program provided by the US consulates abroad for a limited number of foreigners.

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