The Saudi government is permitting journalists accompanying President Obama entry into the country without a visa or the usual customs procedures. While in Saudi Arabia, therefore, journalists are expressly prohibited from leaving the hotel or engaging in any journalistic activities outside of coverage of the POTUS visit. Those who do so risk arrest and detention by Saudi authorities."
I can't believe that there were people in the US who really epxect American foreign policy to change under Obama. (thanks FLC)
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Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The shame of Obama: I told you so, damn it
"On Tuesday, Barack Obama will depart for Saudi Arabia, with a large contingent of traveling press, myself included, who are generally not subject to such restrictions. But by agreement between the Obama Administration and the Saudi government, the White House press corps will be severely restricted while in the country. Here are the instructions I just received from the U.S. State Department: