IRAQ-SAUDI ARABIA BORDER: IRAQ STARTS TRANSPORTING ITS MOSLEM PILGRIMS RETURNING FROM SAUDI ARABIA

Record ID: 189712

  • Title: IRAQ-SAUDI ARABIA BORDER: IRAQ STARTS TRANSPORTING ITS MOSLEM PILGRIMS RETURNING FROM SAUDI ARABIA
  • Date: 25th April 1997
  • Summary: IRAQ- SAUDI BORDER (APRIL 25, 1997) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV TWO IRAQI BUSES CARRYING PILGRIMS RETURNING FROM SAUDI ARABIA ENTER IRAQ AT BORDER; PILGRIMS GET OFF BUS (2 SHOTS) 0.23 2. SV REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLICAN PALACE MUHSSEN FAHEM FARHOD RECEIVES PILGRIMS 0.54 3. SV PILGRIMS GOING TO CAMP IN ARAR AREA FOR REST; PEOPLE SHAKING HANDS WITH PILGRIMS (2 SHOTS) 1.17 4. CU BDER ALHILALY, CHIEF OF AWKAF AND ISLAMIC AFFAIRS, SAYS: "I WAS VERY HAPPY WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS ABOUT THE HELICOPTERS. OF COURSE EVERYTHING PRESENTED BY OUR LEADER AND OUR COMMAND IS SOMETHING NOT STRANGE. ESPECIALLY WE HAVE OLD PILGRIMS WHO NEED HELP, SO WE ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE FEELS WITH US WHENEVER WE HAVE TROUBLES AND WE ASK GOD TO HELP IRAQ AND END SANCTIONS" (ARABIC) 2.08 5. SLV/SV PILGRIMS BY HELICOPTERS; BOARDING HELICOPTERS; INSIDE HELICOPTERS/HELICOPTERS FLY OFF (6 SHOTS) 2.59 6. LV HELICOPTER FLIES OFF 3.08 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 10th May 1997 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: IRAQ-SAUDI ARABIA BORDER AREA
  • City:
  • Country: Saudi Arabia ASIA Iraq MIDDLE EAST
  • Reuters ID: LVAAB9PDM5QCDI8CNN8TKV543OEP
  • Story Text: Two bus loads of Iraqi pilgrims have crossed the Saudi Arabia border into Iraq and boarded helicopters to transport them home after returning from Mecca.

    Iraq has started flying its Moslem pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia to areas within the West's southern and northern no-fly zones, the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported on Friday (April 25) Muhssen Fahem Farhod, a representative of the Republican Palace received the pilgrims as they rested before continuing their onward journey by helicopters through United Nation's designated no-fly zones.

    In the background Bder Alhilaly, Chief of Awkaf and Islamic Affairs, said he was delighted that the helicopters were doing this and thanked his president (Saddam Hussein), especially as old pilgrims need the support even more so.

    Earlier this week Iraq sent nine of its helicopters to the Saudi Arabia border in defiance of the U.S. and allied ban on flights in the area.

    INA said the helicopters will be carrying the sick and tired pilgrims to their destinations throughout Iraq. The operation will continue for several days. INA said more helicopters with pilgrims will be heading to other towns within the no-fly zones. U.S., British and French planes guard the air-exclusion zone in southern Iraq.

    The U.N. Security Council issued a mild statement later which fell short of condemning Baghdad or regarding the flight as a breach of the Gulf War sanctions imposed for Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

    The decision to send helicopters into the Western-protected no-fly zones was taken on Monday following a meeting of Iraqi leaders under President Saddam Hussein.

    State-run newspapers gloated over Saddam's decision to send the helicopters, saying it proved once again that Washington was no longer in a position to force its dictates on Iraq.

    Large-scale preparations are underway throughout the country to receive pilgrims returning by helicopters.

    "They are the heroes who defied America. Our message is that the no-fly zones are illegal and have to go," said a member of the ruling Baath party.


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