Al-Jazeera silenced

2004-09-05 08:42

Doha - Iraqi security forces broke into Al-Jazeera's office in Baghdad late on Saturday and sealed it with red wax after the interim government extended a ban on the Qatar-based news channel, a spokesperson for the station said.

"Iraqi security authorities stormed Al-Jazeera's office in Baghdad, photographed our equipment and sealed the place with red wax, stationing a 14-strong police unit outside," Jihad Ballout told AFP.

They did so on grounds that Al-Jazeera continues to cover Iraq despite the month-long ban clamped on August 5, Ballout said.

Denouncing the move, Ballout said Al-Jazeera had complied with the ban and "has been receiving footage from news agencies, as do many media institutions operating in Iraq".

In a statement, the Arab satellite television network Al-Jazeera voiced "outrage" at the decision to extend the ban, saying the move flew in the face of Baghdad's promise to safeguard press freedom.

"Al-Jazeera channel is outraged at the decision taken this evening by the Iraqi interim government to extend the closure of its bureau in Baghdad," it said.

"This decision runs contrary to pledges made by the Iraqi authorities to pursue a policy of openness and to safeguard freedoms of the press and expression," the statement said.

The government of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi announced earlier Saturday it was extending the month-long ban on Al-Jazeera because the channel was inciting to violence.

"During this temporary closure the Government of Iraq had expected the Al-Jazeera management to offer an explanation to the presented allegations or to officially request a description of the possible threat that the channel may be imposing. However, none of this has happened," a statement from Allawi's office said.

"Additionally, Al-Jazeera TV has not respected the decision taken by the ministerial national security committee and has continued to broadcast from within Iraq and interview individuals on Iraqi soil regardless of the temporary closure order," it added.

In its response, Al-Jazeera vowed to continue its coverage of Iraq "in accordance with its editorial policy and professional values."

Al-Jazeera has frequently been accused by US and Iraqi authorities of inciting violence by screening "exclusive" videotapes from Muslim extremists, including Al-Qaeda terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.

- AFP