IRAQI LEADERS SNUBBED IN MEMPHIS
First, they meet this nutcase:
The Iraqi civic and community leaders are in the midst of a three-week American tour, sponsored by the State Department to learn more about the process of government. The trip also includes stops in Washington, Los Angeles and Chicago.
The Iraqis were scheduled to meet with a city council member, but Joe Brown, the council chair, said he feared the group was dangerous.
“We don’t know exactly what’s going on. Who knows about the delegation, and has the FBI been informed?” Brown said. “We must secure and protect all the employees in that building.”
Elisabeth Silverman, the group’s host and head of the Memphis Council for International Visitors, said Brown told her he would “evacuate the building and bring in the bomb squads” if the group entered.
“They are in charge of setting up processes in their country. They have to educate themselves about how it works in this country,” Silverman said.
Memphis police report that two members of a visiting Iraqi Delegation are robbed as they stroll down a city street. The victims, Mr. Rwad Fanary and Ms. Liza Hido of the visiting Iraqi delegation were walking on Main Street when the suspect approached the couple, snatching the purse of Liza Hido, and pulling a gun on Rwad Fanary. The suspect demanded the wallet of Rwad Fanary, but he did not have one. Rwad Fanary motioned to an oncoming vehicle for assistance, and the suspect then fled on foot toward Front Street.
Welcome to America!