Iraq to close international airport as part of election security measures

[leftchick]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2005/January/focusoniraq_January177.xml§ion=focusoniraq




BAGHDAD - The Iraqi government announced Saturday that Baghdad International Airport will be closed Jan. 29 and 30 as part of election security.


Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib announced the airport closure at a news conference and said other security measures would include a nighttime curfew for many parts of the country between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for three days surrounding the Jan. 30 vote.

“All of our security forces have been put on alert to face any terrorist attacks targeting these elections,” al-Naqib said.

The severe security measures, which are to be put in place under an earlier declared state of emergency, were expected as the country prepares to guard the parliamentary and provincial elections. Insurgents have vowed to disrupt the vote, and US and Iraqi officials have warned of a possible surge in violence.

Al-Naqib said Jan. 29, 30 and 31 would be a public holiday during which the nighttime curfew will be in place. People will be barred from carrying weapons during that period, al-Naqib said.

[rzemanfl]

1. Won't that hurt the tourism industry in Iraq?

I mean, beheadings and all are bad enough, then they go and close the airport. How are the bars, strip clubs and casinos supposed to stay in business?