http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&e=3&u=/ap/20040815/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_media_evicted

Iraq Evicts Reporters From Najaf



BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi police ordered all journalists to leave the holy city
of Najaf on Sunday, just as a new U.S. offensive against militants hiding
out in a revered shrine there began.

Four police cars surrounded a hotel in the city where journalists were
staying and presented the order signed by Najaf's police chief, Brig. Ghalib
al-Jazaari.


Though the order did not spell out a punishment for those who did not
comply, the police who delivered it said any reporters remaining would be
arrested, according to journalists at the hotel. The police said any cameras
and cellular phones they saw would be confiscated. In response to the
threat, many journalists left the city.

The order would mean that the only news coverage of the ongoing violence in
Najaf, one of the most revered cities to Shiite Muslims, would be provided
by reporters embedded with the U.S. military.


The U.S. military had no immediate comment.

I have seen it with my own eyes how American Soldiers tortured German
Soldiers and I believe you. They should take a good look who the Iraqis
are being tortured and learn from it. The Americans are not angels and
finally because of the Iraqi conflict we can see how the system works.

Kurt Knoll.
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