The Australian reported A Palestinian journalist has warned of a Muslim backlash over the failure of Australian authorities to grant him a visa in time to speak at today's Brisbane Writers Festival. Abdel Bari-Atwan, a best-selling author and among the last Western journalists
Atwan, author of The Secret History of al-Qa'ida, accused the Howard Government of discrimination in delaying approval for his visa application, submitted on August 16, after giving notice to authorities of his intention to visit Australia.
Mr Bari-Atwan was the fellow who appeared on Lebanese TV a couple of months ago to discuss Iran's nuclear capability, and announced his intention to "go to Trafalgar Square and dance with delight" if Iranian missiles hit Israel. If he's talking about nuclear missiles, I suppose he'd have to. There wouldn't be much left of Gaza to dance in if they did.
He also claims that Arafat told him that he only signed the Oslo Accords in order to "turn this agreement into a curse" for the Israelis. That certainly explains why they didn't turn out as well as many had hoped.
Since when is a Palestinian journalist a Western journalist?to interview Osama bin Laden, was canceled as a speaker at the festival yesterday as he waited for his visa application to be processed.
Atwan, author of The Secret History of al-Qa'ida, accused the Howard Government of discrimination in delaying approval for his visa application, submitted on August 16, after giving notice to authorities of his intention to visit Australia.
It is good that they are carefully reviewing such visa requests."I believe this is a deliberate delay because I am an Arab and a Muslim," Atwan said. "It is ridiculous. I am not a terrorist, I am not a drug dealer, I am dealing in words and thoughts."
Words and thoughts like "you will see a backlash if you do not let me in to spew hate."david t blogged Some of you may be familiar with Abdel Bari-Atwan, the clownish editor of the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi, and regular Sky and BBC News pundit.
Mr Bari-Atwan was the fellow who appeared on Lebanese TV a couple of months ago to discuss Iran's nuclear capability, and announced his intention to "go to Trafalgar Square and dance with delight" if Iranian missiles hit Israel. If he's talking about nuclear missiles, I suppose he'd have to. There wouldn't be much left of Gaza to dance in if they did.
He also claims that Arafat told him that he only signed the Oslo Accords in order to "turn this agreement into a curse" for the Israelis. That certainly explains why they didn't turn out as well as many had hoped.
1 comment:
Exactly - so why the hell hasn't this been reported by any major Australian media outlet?
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