travel ban
Iraqi Ambassador Asks Philippines to Lift Travel Ban
The Ambassador of Iraq, Wadee Al-Batti, has asked the government of the republic of the Philippines to lift a ban that the country has imposed on its citizens towards going to Iraq. The ambassador further stated that if this ban were lifted, the Philippine citizens can take part in a n opportunity to help Iraq recover from the war. The ban was originally imposed around 6 years ago, and Ambassador Wadee Al-Batti has said that things are much better in Iraq now in terms of peace.
This reaction by the Iraqi ambassador was emphasized after the government of the Philippines reiterated the countries which it deems to dangerous for travel or for work. Aside from Iraq, the other countries mentioned in this ban include Somalia, Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria and Afghanistan. While the ambassador claims that Iraq is much more peaceful nowadays, terrorist attacks cannot be guaranteed.
The ambassador also stated that around 50 embassies are already in place in the Green Zone of Iraq, this implies that the place is much safer now. The Green Zone is an area which is heavily guarded, and inside it there is the U.S. Embassy, offices of the Iraqi Government, and the Parliament. This ban, according to Al-Batti, only hinders the relationship between the Philippines and Iraq.
Mubarak Assets Seized; Travel Ban for Corruption Investigation
The main prosecutor’s of Egypt has made the move to ban President Hosni Mubarak, and his family, from leaving the country. This is so that the President can really face the investigations made against him with regards to corruption. Aside from this move, the prosecutors also went ahead and controlled the assets of President Hosni Mubarak. The President has left Cairo more than 14 days ago.
According to the accusations, President Hosni Mubarak has committed corruption by diversion of millions of dollars that should have gotten to official coffers. The investigation details are not supplied by Abdel Meguid Mahmoud, who heads the prosecutor’s office. He did say that the travel ban applies to the President, the President’s wife, Suzanne, the two sons, and the wives of the sons.
Experts say that it is very hard to track where all this money they have corrupted is. It’s not a straight forward enough task. Freezing is not the only solution in fact. Some of the money may be “hidden” in tax havens in other countries, or in shell companies. Switzerland has in fact sent out notices to seize bank accounts with family names of Mubarak. However, experts believe most of these accounts are not under the Mubarak family name.