Arab editor says Australian visa delay racist
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-11-17 20:09:37
A London-based Palestinian journalist who once interviewed Osama BinLaden accused Australian authorities of racism Wednesday for failing toissue him a endorse to attend a literary festival. Abdel Bari Atwan theeditor of Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper in London said lengthy,unexplained visa delays were preventing him from attending the BrisbaneWriters Festival in Queensland state. Atwan who interviewed Bin Ladenin 1996 and released a book called The Secret History of Al Qaeda lastyear said Australia was the only country where he had experienced visaproblems. Atwan said other journalists who had interviewed Bin Laden hadsubsequently visited Australia leading him to believe his visa problemswere racially motivated. Atwan who is scheduled to speak at thefestival Thursday said he submitted his endorse application six weeks ago. The Australian immigration department says short-term business visas cantake up to four weeks to process although festival director MichaelCampbell said applications took only a few days for other internationalguests. He believed Atwan was being targeted because of his role at AlQuds Al Arabi. ()
Sonneville-lunet 10 6221KT Maastricht The Netherlands Tel. : +31 43 325 40 30 Fax : +32 2 400 42 20 E-mail: [ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://www.ejc.net/media_news/arab_editor_says_australian_visa_delay_racist/#When:07:10:00Z
0 Comments:
No comments have been posted yet!
|
