OPEC Bans Writer After Story ‘Insult’
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GENEVA — The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries banned a Wall Street Journal reporter from its meeting today for an “insulting” article that mentioned prostitutes frequenting the hotel where OPEC met.
When the conference opened, other reporters, photographers and television cameramen refused to wear their plastic accreditation cards in protest against the OPEC decision.
This proved ineffective because OPEC security officials removed all media representatives without identification cards.
OPEC officials refused to accredit Journal reporter Youssef Ibrahim to the organization’s latest emergency conference because of an article he wrote in advance of the meeting.
The article light-heartedly described the opulent OPEC life style at the Intercontinental Hotel and the rivalry over getting the best suites.
Ibrahim said he was told he was “permanently banned” from OPEC meetings.
Nigerian Oil Minister Tam David-West, mentioned as throwing a champagne party, said he and other ministers named in the article felt “deeply insulted.”
OPEC officials said particular exception was taken to a reference to the expensive call girls frequenting the hotel.
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