Romania expels Iraqi diplomats

Five Iraqi diplomats have been expelled from Romania for “activities incompatible with their status” – diplomatic shorthand for spying.

The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest did not name the diplomats but spokesman Costin Dobran said Iraq’s ambassador to Romania, Majid Saad Hamid, had not been ordered out.

The US last week expelled two UN based Iraqi diplomats, while Australia said an Iraqi diplomat accused of being an intelligence officer had been ordered to leave the country by Wednesday.

US officials say they have identified 300 Iraqis in 60 countries – some operating as diplomats out of Iraqi embassies – whom it wants expelled. They argue that the alleged agents could attack American interests overseas.

Asked whether Romania was acting on a US or British request to expel the diplomats, the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest said it was a “purely Romanian operation.”

In December 2001, Romania expelled an Iraqi diplomat for spying, acting under pressure from Britain.