The World - News from Nov. 17, 1988

Iraq has quietly expelled a senior American diplomat from Baghdad for having contacts with its minority Kurdish population that Iraq judged were too extensive, the Washington Post reported. The Post, citing informed sources, identified the diplomat as Haywood Rankin, head of the political section at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. They said they believe Rankin has already left Iraq to return home. According to one source, the State Department has decided to expel one Iraqi diplomat in retaliation. Another source said the U.S. response is still under consideration. The State Department refused to confirm or deny the report of Rankin’s expulsion.