US to review hasty inclusion of Nigeria to terror watch list

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January 23rd, 2009

Guardian- WITH the intensity of criticisms within the US government circles and outside, the Americans may soon review the inclusion of Nigeria on its terror watch list of countries of interest, according to a senior White House official.

Speaking at the US Foreign Press Centre in Washington DC on Friday afternoon, White House National Security Council spokesman, Mike Hammer, told foreign journalists that the US Homeland Security Secretary, Ms. Janet Napolitano, would be reviewing each of the countries listed including Nigeria.

Hammer gave a special briefing to accredited foreign correspondents in the US to commemorate the one year anniversary of President Barack Obama’s presidency.

The Guardian had asked why Nigeria’s name was added to the list of countries of interest because of the “sins” of one man, whose father had taken the unusual step of forewarning the US authorities.

The question noted that when the shoe-bomber, Richard Reid, from Britain was caught in similar circumstances, the name of Britain was not added to the list.

The question also added that even a US Senator last week questioned the decision to add some countries to the list.

In response, Hammer said: “Thank you very much for your question; I am glad you asked it. I’ll make three points.

NewsRescue- Generation Doom! Should we be scared of our youth?

One, after the December 25th incident, it was clear that we needed to take measures that protect aviation. Protecting aviation serves the entire world as we have citizens, of course, from the entire world who are flying back and forth whether it is to the United States or elsewhere.
The listing, in no way, is meant to be discriminatory against any individual or nationality. What is important here to realize is that we need to take some measures, but already, Secretary Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security had said that she would personally review each of the countries listed. And this is an evolving process.


So, I understand the issues that you raised, the issues that Senator Leahy had raised; we are very well keen about the concerns. But it’s a balance here in that we need to take the necessary steps to protect aviation and as well as taking into consideration what other measures, in co-operation, of course, with a number of countries around the world. And that is what, in fact, we are doing at the moment.”Indeed, the decision of the executive arm of the US government to add Nigeria’s name to the security and terror list of countries of interest has been coming under attacks generally from the US, and on Wednesday directly from the US Senate.This is coming as the full court of American democracy begins to open shop on the fallout of the Christmas day terror attempt.
Criticism of the addition of countries that included Nigeria on the terror list started with US opinion writers pointing out last week that the decision would only affect innocent Nigerians and it might not be an effective tool to counter-terrorism.

On Wednesday in Washington DC at one of several Congressional hearings on the failed terror attempt, Senator Patrick Leahy warned against the temptation of reflexive actions that were ineffective by the US government.

He stressed that adding names of some countries like Nigeria to the watch list might even alienate allies of the US in the global war on terror.

Leahy, a Democrat senator and the chairman of the US Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke as he presided over the committee’s hearing on the matter at the Capitol Hill.

Other committees of the Senate that held similar hearings on the terror attempt and its implications were the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

http://www.newsrescue.com/2010/01/us-to-review-hasty-inclusion-of-nigeria-to-terror-watch-list/

This is just lip service. Nothing will come out of this.

Besides, it will do Nigeria more good than harm if we remained on that list.

OMO IBO:

This is just lip service. Nothing will come out of this.

Besides, it will do Nigeria more good than harm if we remained on that list.

HOW

Some good news sha. I'll keep my fingers crossed for now.

The drama continue, we are just seeing some of the actors and actresses coming on stage.
Well, time they say will tell, time will heal all wounds, time will , ooh, what a pity

MrPrsdent:

HOW

How??
Simple answer.
There are other 'Muttalabs' in Nigeria.

It will not benefit us at all if we remain on that list because some other Mutallabs in our midst will still do what they want to do.

keep them on the list its better for Nigeria.

Let us wait and see and not start jumping for joy yet

You mean after what happened in jos? we are stuck on that list.

bawomolo:

You mean after what happened in jos? we are stuck on that list.

Yes, besides, i heard there has been problems in Sokoto or one of the Northern states . . .so how could the international bodies take Nija serious, when there seems to be tension all the times?

Hmm well lets hope they review it.

Nigeria needs to stay on that list. After the violence in Jos and now I hear it is spreading to other northern states, we all should be fearful of these crazy almajaris!!!

I don't think naija is coming off that list, especially with the new Jos crisis and then Osama coming out and calling Mutallab a hero. The U.S. govt. prob believes Osama has connections for more recruits in naija like Mutallab.

I think what has helped to create the tension in the country was a result of the terror listing. As much as I don't think its correct, it has helped to bring more attention to what is happening in Nigeria especially with Yar'Adua being missing. The listing may have been a blessing in disguise, but only time will truly tell.  If the U.S. can leave ordinary nigerians alone and target these govt. officials who are terrorizing the nigerian people then that would be even better.  The type of tension in the country may be just be is needed to get rid of these terrible people in govt.

If it wasn't for the listing I dont think Maduekwe would have been getting all these questions thrown at him etc and many in the world would have no idea about this situation.

No, let them not review it, let them include us
Buncha dunce.

I fail to see how this is good news (given the current spate of killings in the country.) Jos and Kaduna indigenes and settlers are nothing short of terrorized at the moment and the Dipo Dina incident is the coup de grâce. The opinion of the United States is useless if the existence of citizens of Nigeria (residing in Nigeria) remains threatened!

Review is easy.
After review,i bet you we'll be pushed up the list.
Much ado about nothing.

U.K. should be No 1 on that list if we are to judge fairly. but Onyibo interest.??

US  has to review that list, 9ja is corrupt yes, but not violet to foreigners or any such inhuman Terror attack on any oversea interest.  we only attack ourselves internally, .like other countries too e.g US & UK . crime: serial shooting and knife attack.

Nigeria should remain on that list. A country where life is taken without consideration. The loss of lives means nothing to the government either. NAIJA SHOULD REMAIN.

Na activity jare

Nigeria should remain on that list. A country where life is taken without consideration. Loss of lives means nothing to the Government either. NAIJA SHOULD REMAIN ON THAT LIST. I DEY VEX.

just right:

Nigeria should remain on that list. A country where life is taken without consideration. Loss of lives means nothing to the Government either. NAIJA SHOULD REMAIN ON THAT LIST. I DEY VEX.

Maybe it would have been better if you were a citizen of Zimbabwe, then you smell the terror from Mugabe or a citizen of other African countries who believe in war war war.

sjeezy8:

keep them on the list,

OMO IBO:

This is just lip service. Nothing will come out of this.

Besides, it will do Nigeria more good than harm if we remained on that list.


its better for Nigeria.

A guy on this forum gave a good Yoruba proverb, he said '' A child does not point to his father's house with the left hand.

Where a lot of people are devoting their time to pray for this nation, people like these are busy with their pessimistic nature bad mouthing, cursing and wishing the nation evil. Well, we are all together in this nation so whether good or bad we shall enjoy it. Keep wishing evil.

@ post

A hasty decision taken by America which was borne out of sentiment. Why didn't they put UK on the list? A disciplined father took his time to warn them on the activities of his son and they disregarded the information but they hastily put us on the list. How many Amerian parents will do that.
Bin laden warned from his latest speech that they are presently training some Americans who turned muslims. With this information, I hope America will put their own names on the watch list.

America!!! A self righteous nation who take actions based on their own selfish interest.

THEY BETTER DE-LIST NIGERIA OR I WILL PERSONALLY   FORCE THEM TO DO SO. coz i can.

If you guys know what Nigerians now go thru when visiting yankee, you wont be supporting naija being on the list. It is embarassing.

And before you say everyone should stay put in their country to avoid embarrassment, be selfless for once and think of other peoples' livelihoods.

Nigeria should remain on the list. the govt is a terrorist government; nigerians are financial terrorists (419). can u imagine a friend wanted to sign up to paypal and nigeria was not on the list! then nigerians are savages - burning up each other like retarded goons. muttalab was a british student. why hasnt there been religious clashes in london? savages.

Meldrick, I do not need to bad mouth Nigeria.
Nigeria does it to itself already and guess what, looks like they are doing a pretty good job.

For some reason you think taking Nigeria off the list will make any difference.

Pssshhhh.
The deed is done already. . . . thanks to Muttalab. As long you and I  travel with our green passports we will always catch the attention, eyes, thoughts and imaginations of others. . . .

I'd rather all Nigerians were strip searched than have another 'Muttalab' in a plane.

Current Nigerian news
http://nigeriadailynews..com/

This does not make any meaning whatsoever. It is just up to a month that the list came out, yet the US is thinking of a review. There must be more to this than it meets the eye.

whatever

It wont do anything. Our name is already tainted in the eyes of the world.


Even if they scribble our names off, it wont do anything.

Why is the senate just reviewing when the executive arm of the US govt took such drastic decision without consulting it.i just hope something positive wil come out of this.