Pan Am Eases Restrictions Against Iraqi Passengers

NEW YORK — Pan American World Airways has eased its restrictions against Iraqi passengers by agreeing to accept those who have U.S. passports or permanent resident alien status, a lawyer said today.

Iraqi nationals with valid U.S. passports or other proof of permanent resident status can fly Pan Am effective immediately, Eric Lieberman, general counsel to the National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee, said.

The NECLC filed a federal lawsuit against Pan Am last week on behalf of Salan Salman, who said the airline refused to sell him a ticket. Salman, a 38-year-old architect, is recognized by the State Department as a political refugee. His father was executed in 1963 by the regime that brought Saddam Hussein to power, court papers said.

“While this is a complete vindication for Mr. Salman, . . . Pan Am’s policy still unlawfully discriminates against Iraqi nationals in the U.S. on valid visas but who are not lawful permanent residents,” Lieberman said.

Jeff Kriendler, a spokesman for Pan Am, declined to comment on the lawsuit. He said only that “current policy is to accept Iraqis carrying United States passports or having resident alien status.”

The decision was “a victory for the rule of law and civil behavior in America,” said M. T. Mehdi, president of the American-Arab Relations Committee. His group had also filed a lawsuit against Pan Am demanding that the airline change its policy.