Cat Stevens 'shocked' by ban

2004-09-23 11:28

London - Yusuf Islam, the former pop star Cat Stevens, returned to Britain on Thursday saying he was "totally shocked" that he was barred from entering the United States.

US officials, who had ordered Islam taken off a London-to-Washington flight on Tuesday, said he was on a security watch list because of suspicions that he was associated with potential terrorists.

"I'm totally shocked," Islam told a swarm of reporters as he came through the arrivals area at Heathrow airport.

"Half of me wants to smile, and half of me wants to growl. The whole thing is totally ridiculous," he said, speaking softly and appearing calm.

'Everyone knows who I am'

"Everybody knows who I am. I am no secret figure. Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace. There's got to be a whole lot of explanation."

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw complained on Wednesday to US officials about their treatment of Islam, telling US Secretary of State Colin Powell "that this action should not have been taken," the Foreign Office confirmed.

The Foreign Office declined to say what he meant by "this action" - whether it was Islam's detention, or his inclusion on the watch list.

Straw's protest was a reversal of the Foreign Office's hands-off position earlier on Wednesday, when a spokesperson had said "the reasons for his detention and return are obviously a matter for the US and not for us."

United Airlines Flight 919 had been en route to Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC, on Tuesday when US officials reviewing the passenger list discovered Islam was aboard. The aircraft was diverted to Maine's Bangor International Airport, where federal agents met the plane and interviewed Islam.

"They diverted the plane at the last moment to a place called Bangor, which I'd never heard of, and suddenly I was surrounded by FBIs who interrogated me," Islam told reporters.

"They actually treated me very well. The one positive thing I can say is that a lot security officers are pleased because they got my autograph."

Wants to see his daughter

He was placed on a plane back to London on Wednesday. Islam's 21-year-old daughter, Maymanah, was allowed to stay in the country.

"The whole thing was a terrible ordeal. I'm very tired. I was separated from my daughter. I really look forward to seeing her again," Islam said.

US Homeland Security spokesperson Brian Doyle would only say that the intelligence community has recently obtained information that "further heightens concern" about Yusuf Islam.

"Yusuf Islam has been placed on the watch lists because of activities that could potentially be related to terrorism," Doyle said. "It's a serious matter."

Islam said he had been questioned by the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorist Special Branch on his return, but gave no details of the interview.

- AP