Two Iranian Guards at U.N. Expelled for Filming New York Sites

The New York Times ^ | June 30, 2004 | WARREN HOGE

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

NITED NATIONS, June 29 - The United States has expelled two security guards at Iran's United Nations mission after they were seen filming and photographing New York landmark buildings and parts of the city's transportation system, American officials said Tuesday.

"They were asked to leave because we were very concerned about their activities, which weren't compatible with their stated duties," said Richard A. Grenell, the spokesman for the American mission.

The language is common diplomatic wording for espionage cases.

The two men were ordered out last weekend after pairs of Iranian guards had been seen for the third time in two years videotaping bridges, tunnels, the Statue of Liberty and other landmark buildings, according to an American diplomat. He said the guards were not the same two men who had been seen in earlier incidents in June 2002 and November 2003. The expelled men, who were not identified, left Saturday night, the official said.

Stuart Holliday, a deputy American ambassador, said: "As we understand it, these individuals were moving around New York City and essentially surveilling, taking photographs of a variety of New York landmarks and infrastructure and the rest. But obviously this isn't something that's a part of protecting their mission here in New York."

Asked if the men could have been acting as tourists, Mr. Holliday said, "I think we have great confidence in the ability of federal law enforcement to determine what action and behavior is typical and what is atypical."

In Washington, Adam Ereli, a State Department spokesman, said, "They had been observed by the F.B.I. videotaping various locations from New York deemed to be sensitive."

Mr. Ereli said the filming and photographing by Iranian guards had been a "recurring problem," and despite repeated warnings it had continued.

While the photographing of such sites does not violate a law, security officials have been particularly vigilant about apparent surveillance of public buildings in New York since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the World Trade Center.

Morteza Ramandi, the press attaché at the Iranian mission at the United Nations, issued a statement confirming that the men had left and accusing the United States of "conjuring" the surveillance complaint.

"The guards in question never failed to observe any 'no photography' signs, and the videotapes and photos they shot consisted of obvious and popular tourist attractions in New York City, which are of interest to any visitors in this city, such as the Central Park, museums, parades and the like," Mr. Ramandi said. "And we categorically deny that they ever took any photos of anything of security or sensitive nature."

The state-run Iranian News Agency in Tehran said that Iran "deplored" the expulsions, and quoted an unidentified Foreign Ministry official as saying, "This is aimed at disrupting the daily routine of Iran's permanent representation office, and this is not in harmony with accepted norms."

Iran remains part of the Bush administration's "axis of evil," which included North Korea and Iraq under the rule of Saddam Hussein.

The United States has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979, when the American Embassy in Tehran was seized and 52 American diplomats were taken hostage by radicals in the aftermath of the Islamic revolution that brought the country's cleric government to power. Iranian diplomats in New York represent their country only at the United Nations.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Iranians filming landmarks. Very interesting. Anyone think they have a case against the U.S. for expelling them?

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Suspicious conduct PING!

[dr_who_2]

Of course. It's chauvenistic of the US to oppose terrorists , dictators, and other thugs.

[ScottFromSpokane]

What sort of case? I think any country can expel anyone at any time. In most cases, they'd just toss out a couple of our diplomats in retaliation, but of course, the Iranians can't do that.

[longshadow]

Morteza Ramandi, the press attaché at the Iranian mission at the United Nations, issued a statement confirming that the men had left and accusing the United States of "conjuring" the surveillance complaint.

If they wanted mementos, they could have have bought postcards of the usual landmarks for 50 cents.

Something is very sinister about this, and I suspect the other shoe is going to drop in the not too distant future.....

[Consort]

As I said in the other duplicate threads, the two expelled Iranians will be replaced by two worse Iranians.

[reagan_fanatic]

This is horrible. We have violated these Iranian's civil rights.

Where's the ACLU, Je$$e Jackass and Ramsey Clark?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

They should have simply disappeared. It would have sent an effective message.

[PokeyJoe]

..and later showed up in a pig stye without their heads

[Tailgunner Joe]

[nutmeg]

ping

[F16Fighter]

Expelled??

They should have been stuck under hot lights and panty-whipped into coughing up the goods.

[Fiddlstix]

Interesting.

Check this Thread

(Twice in one day?)

[piasa]

Camera incidents & Iran's UN personnel

[piasa]

Mr. Ereli said the filming and photographing by Iranian guards had been a "recurring problem," and despite repeated warnings it had continued.

Even if they don't intend to use such recon info for a physical attack, the publicity around such repeated scouting could be noticed by jittery investors and do damage to the city and the US economically.

[Cindy]

Yep.

[F14 Pilot]

Thanks for the ping!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[piasa]

bttt

[sarcasm]

I believe that they were caught filming on the #7 line - which just happens to run next to the Citicorp building in Long Island City.