DUBAI, 1 October 2003 — Officials from the US Department of Homeland Security are working in the visa section of the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia to spot applications from potential militants, a spokesman for the embassy told the Associated Press yesterday.
Spokesman John Burgess said the Homeland Security agents, who arrived about a month ago, have access to databases that US consular staff do not enjoy, and they can therefore trace suspected extremists more efficiently.
“They are to be part of the process of evaluating applications to determine the suitability of issuing visas,” Burgess told AP in a telephone interview from Riyadh.
In Washington, Homeland Security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the visas would still be issued by consular officers, “but they will be reviewed by Homeland Security to help weed out terrorists and others who should not be issued a visa.”
Burgess said Homeland Security agents had also been sent to other countries: “This is not exclusive to Saudi Arabia. They have been sent to other countries as well. It just happens they were sent here first.”
Asked why Saudi Arabia was No. 1, Burgess said: “Well, I believe Sept. 11 is a good reason.”
“People in the United States are still not able to know what to make of Saudi Arabia,” Burgess said. “This is a step to confirm to the public that visa proceedings are as secure as possible.”
