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CLEAR Temp: 70 °F Wind: SSW at 3 mph Saturday, August 30, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 28, 2003 Since You Asked Traveling to Iraq is no longer restricted I heard that not only is it illegal for a U.S. citizen to travel to Iraq, but it’s punishable by up to 12 years in jail. Is this true? And does this obviously mean the troops, reporters, politicians etc. are exempt from this law? — Ann W., Gold Hill Don’t rush to pack your bags, Ann, but restrictions on using a U.S. passport to travel to Iraq have been lifted. The federal government restricted Americans’ travel to Iraq in 1991 after the first Gulf War because the hostile country was considered unsafe, said Stuart Patt, spokesman for the State Department’s consular affairs bureau. U.S. travelers to Iraq faced hefty fines and criminal charges that carried jail time. Advertisement In recent months, the restriction was lifted so Americans could go to Iraq to provide humanitarian aid and reconstruction services, he said. However, Iraq lacks the bureaucratic channels — such as immigration inspections and people to issue visas — to clear a traveler’s way. The country remains "very dangerous," Patt said State Department warnings and media reports lead Since You Asked’s Middle East experts to conclude that Iraq won’t become a trendy tourist destination anytime soon. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times