Thousands of Iraqis overwhelm newly opened passport offices

[mom cat]

Thousands of Iraqis overwhelm newly opened passport offices
by Jon Elmer (bio)

Jul 20- Iraq's fledgling passport offices have been flooded by thousands of people seeking official travel documentation following the US-installed interim government's July 1 announcement that the offices would be reopened.

Iraqis are enduring lines that begin as early as 3 a.m., mid-day temperatures that soar above 125 degrees and thronging crowds that are held back by aggressive police officers, all in hopes of receiving the necessary papers to leave Iraq's widespread unemployment and daily violence. Wesam Mohammed, 22, explained his presence in the crush outside of one of Baghdad's five passport offices to the New York Times: "There is no comfort here. No stability. Explosions everywhere. This is impossible," he said.

To apply for a passport, citizens must present identification as well as an Oil-for-Food ration card issued under the United Nations administered plan dating back to the 1990s. During the Saddam Hussein-era, travel was almost exclusively the domain of party loyalists, academics and those wealthy enough to pay the necessary bribes.


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New York Times: "In Iraq, the Most Coveted Item Now Is a Passport"
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id: "Baghdad mayhem as thousands of Iraqis apply for passports"

http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=713

[izzie]

1. Do you blame them? Read Robert Fisk.

Not the place to be

[mom cat]

2. I would be standing in line too...especially with the prospect of a

new US backed strongman

[Hobarticus]

3. If Wolfowitz ran like his ass was on fire, wouldn't you?

The most protected man in Iraq got the hell out of Dodge the same day!

[Hobarticus]

4. My bad...I meant Bremer

GOP weasels all kinda blend together, don't they?

[Amarant]

5. Why need a passport?

Many nations would accept them on refugee or asylum grounds...