- Title: IRAQ: IRAQI AUTHORITIES SAY THEY WILL START ISSUING ENTRY VISAS FROM JULY.
- Date: 24th June 2004
- Summary: (EU) MUNTHIRIYA BORDER POST, IRAQ (JUNE 23, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. LV/GV: EXTERIOR OF MUNTHIRIYA BORDER POST COMPOUND AT IRAQ'S BORDERS WITH IRAN; GATE OF BORDER COMPOUND; PHOTOS OF IRANIAN OFFICIALS AND IRANIAN FLAG AT ENTRANCE TO COMPOUND; IRANIAN FLAG FLUTTERED ABOVE BUILDING (4 SHOTS) 0.22 2. GV: IRANIAN PILGRIMS ENTERING COMPOUND GATE (2 SHOTS) 0.32 3. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OFFICIAL AT BORDER POST, IMAD MAJEED RASHEED, SAYING: "The Interior Minister has issued an official statement stating that Iraq will start issuing entry visas. Visas will be granted by consulates and embassies and probably at border points.No one will enter without a visa." 0.57 4. CU/MV: RASHEED'S HAND ON COMPUTER MOUSE; RASHEED USING COMPUTER (2 SHOTS) 1.05 5. GV/CU: FEMALE BORDER OFFICER CHECKING PAPERS; DOCUMENTS BEING CHECKED BY BORDER OFFICER (4 SHOTS) 1.25 6. MV: BORDER OFFICERS 1.29 7. GV/CU: BORDER COMPOUND; SIGN AT COMPOUND (2 SHOTS) 1.38 8. GV: IRANIAN PILGRIMS NEAR BUS; IRANIAN PILGRIMS LOADING LUGGAGE INTO PICK-UP; BUS LEAVING COMPOUND (3 SHOTS) 1.58 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 9th July 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MUNTHIRIYA, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVA53A2UORCFY3AG9VRPLUL5ID3M
- Story Text: Iraq authorities said they would start issuing entry
visa as of July.
Iraqi officials said on Wednesday (June 23) that
they will start issuing entry visas for those wishing to
travel to Iraq from July in an attempt to enforce security
and to control the flow of people through its borders
following the transfer of power on June 30.
An official at Munthiriya border post, 170 kilometers
(106 miles) east of Baghdad said people would be able to
apply for entry visas from Iraqi consulates.
"The Interior Minister has issued an official statement
stating that Iraq will start issuing entry visas. Visas
will be granted by consulates and embassies and probably at
border points.No one will enter without a visa after this
date," said Imad Majeed Rasheed, border official at
Munthiriya Border post compound.
The move aims to control the borders more effectively
in order to prevent militant groups entering Iraq to carry
out attacks, which are expected to surge in the coming
days.
It is likely that Iraqi forces will be given further
training in protecting the borders, airports and
communication lines as NATO leaders, gathering for a
summit in Istanbul June 28-29, are expected to discuss
further security measures for Iraq after the handover of
power.
A large number of Iranian pilgrims flock to Iraq daily
to visit holy shrines in Shi'ite holy cities of Najaf and
Kerbala. The fall of Saddam Hussein in April last year led
to a flood of devout Iranians visiting shrines in the
Samarra and the Kadhemiya district of Baghdad, as well as
the two holy cities. Under Saddam Hussein's rule,
pilgrimages by Iranians were reduced to a small trickle.
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