Germany, Fearing Terrorist Acts, Tells 28 Iraqi Diplomats to Leave

Germany expelled 28 Iraqi diplomats today, and government officials in Bonn said the action was taken to prevent the diplomats from ordering terrorist acts.

The diplomats had been employed at the Iraqi Embassy in Bonn and at Iraq’s mission in Berlin, the Foreign Ministry said.

Government officials said there was “very great suspicion” that some of the diplomats controlled extremist groups in Germany and could direct terrorist activities.

Britain today defended its policy of deporting Iraqis and other foreign nationals regarded as a threat to national security but denied that a “witch-hunt” was under way.

“There will not be a witch-hunt in this country, let me make that clear,” Home Secretary Kenneth Baker told the British Broadcasting Corp. as authorities continued to serve deportation orders against unwanted Iraqis.

In the months since Iraq invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, action has been taken against 160 Iraqis and 12 other foreign nationals, the Home Office said. Of those, 87 have been detained and 70 have been deported, left Britain willingly or had expulsion orders issued against them. No action was taken against the others.