Wednesday, June 14, 2006

For Iraqis, Exodus to Syria and Jordan Continues - New York Times

This is an important barometer of security in Iraq and it has been paid little attention in the US press. It is frequently commented upon in the Arabic press, and visitors to places like Jordan are well aware of the massive influx of Iraqis.
For Iraqis, Exodus to Syria and Jordan Continues - New York Times: "In Baghdad, evidence of the departures abounds. Faris al-Douri, a travel agency director, said on Tuesday that airline tickets are booked weeks in advance, and that airlines have added flights to Jordan and Syria. Passport offices are packed.

'As if we were giving out cars, not passports,' said Maj. Gen. Yassen al-Yassiry, director of passports for the Iraqi government.

The government issued two million passports from July 2004 to the end of 2005, he said. Some of those were for Iraqis taking holidays, but many were for migration. The government does not track the numbers of citizens leaving for abroad."

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