Washington expels an Iraqi journalist

A spokesman for the Iraqi foreign ministry said yesterday that the USA expelled the correspondent of the Iraqi news agency in New York, Muhammad Hassan Allawi, and his family from its territories over carrying out activities considered as "damaging for the American national security."

The Iraqi spokesman said that the American measure is being made at a time when "Iraq hosts hundreds of foreign journalists including American journalists and correspondents," describing this measure as "a new foolish act." Allawi denied the American accusations. He said "What can I do ? It is the USA, How can I fight them."

He disclosed that an American diplomat tried to talk to him two months before but he refused "of fears that he ( the American diplomat) will push him to betray his homeland."