US reporter killed 'because he was to marry a Muslim'

[kskiska]

AN American journalist who was shot dead in Basra last week was executed by Shiite extremists who knew he was intending to marry his Muslim interpreter, it has emerged.

Steven Vincent was shot a week before the planned wedding to Nouriya Itais and had already delivered a $2,500 dowry to her family.

The disclosure casts new light on the grip of Islamic religious sects in the British-run south- east of Iraq - raising concern that they will take control once troops start to withdraw. Mr Vincent was abducted from his hotel three days after writing a piece in the New York Times accusing British officials of allowing religious parties to infiltrate the Basra police.

In America, his death was taken as retribution for his article. But in London yesterday, British officials pointed out that the police in Basra believed it was retribution for his affair.

more…
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1761552005

[jsamuel]

1. So, they take the word of the people he was accusing in the first place?

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. Sounds Like This Guy Had Lots Of Enemies. n/t

[daleo]

3. I bet it had more to do with being a mouthpiece for the occupation

He was pretty pro-invasion, according to what I have read. There may be other factors as well, but this sounds like spin.

[hadrons]

6. he was very pro-invasion, but he wasn't blind ....

on his blog he acknowledged Bush fucked up big-time

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. I have Iraqi-American fiends

one is Muslim, one Christian. Even the Beloved Prophet had Jewish wives. Just to let you know that not all Muslims think Muslims can only marry Muslims....

[ovidsen]

5. I thought Vincent was married

His obits said he lived with his wife, Lisa Ramaci, in NYC.

Just askin'......

[NYC]

7. I found this reference to his wife:

#9 from RG on August 4, 2005 06:24 PM

The Times article alludes to rumors that Vincent was romantically involved with Nour, his translator. In his book ItRZ, Vincent was very honest and open about his struggle to contain the attraction he had for Nour. She and Vincent were seen walking together around Basra regularly, and in a society that has restrictive ideals about the role of women, it's not surprising rumors would start up about them. Doesn't mean it's true, though; I doubt Vincent would be addressing all of his blog posts to his wife Lisa if he was having an affair.

#14 from Elizabeth Morgan on August 5, 2005 08:28 AM

As a good friend of both Steven Vincent and his wife, I can assure you that Noor was NOT a fiance! He had infinite respect for her and the difficulties her life had entailed. Knowing as he did what the consequences for a woman would be to have a relationship that was not approved by her family and her culture, he would not have placed her in such a position. He cared for yes, loved her as a close associate, and I am sure would be relieved to know that not only did she survive the ordeal that befell them, and proud (but not surprised) that in her pain she still showed her courage and anger when she yelled at the police when they finally showed up. I am personally confident that any gossip about them is due to the fact that Noor bucked the "tribal" norm and was a thorn under the saddle of many. To speculate about their relationship at this time is damaging not only to Steven's deep sense of honor, his love for his wife and his respect for Noor, but to the fact that these were two brave souls who banded together in search of truth. Please, let's have no more of this tabloid-sounding stuff!

From:
http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/007278.php

[ovidsen]

8. So the article in the OP was incorrect.

It shouldn't make any difference, of course. Being murdered over an affair is as inexcusable as being killed for your reporting. But somehow the Scotsman story seemed a bit out of left field to me. Getting romantically involved with his interpeter, even if he were single, didn't fit Vincent's modus operendi. Thanks for the information, NYC.

[NYC]

9. You gave me the lead.

However, being on dial up, once I've clicked a few Google links, I'll settle for anything.

The really interesting thing is why change the story? If he was killed for reporting, which is of course likely, why make up the pending marriage with payment of dowry? Very strange, and I would assume easily disproven. It's not an affair if you are paying a dowry, but a marriage. If he already has a wife...? Strange story, and thanks for mentioning the NYT obituary.

[daleo]

10. It could be a propaganda ploy

Killing someone because of a romantic entanglement with someone of another faith would be inexcusable to the vast majority of westerners. It is also something only uncivilized people would do, within our western frame of reference. Killing someone who is seen as an instrument of occupation (rightly or wrongly) is more understandable. From our second world war experience, westerners have strong feelings against collaboration in general.

So, moving the cause of the killing from a political act to an act of religious bigotry, helps to re-frame the whole issue in a way less problematic for the occupation.

There is also the possibility that the soap opera angle (so to speak) makes better copy than a complicated political story.

[NYC]

11. I agree with you re propaganda value,

but it is so easy to find out about his wife. On the other hand, they have not in the past had trouble with lying right in the face of the truth.

Have you read The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck re occupation? Propaganda book written in 1942. It implies that Germany is occupying Norway. Short book, 112 pages. Read it if you get the chance. It was very popular in Europe during World War 2.

Clifton Fadiman and James Thurber criticized it harshly because Steinbeck did not demonize the Germans. Fadiman and Thurber were wrong, judging by the popularity of the book in Europe, especially occupied countries.

[daleo]

12. I might have read it a long time ago

Maybe in high school. But I don't recall details, so I will try to pick it up the next time that I go to the library. I always liked Steinbeck.