World News 23-09-2004 Straw`s Anger Over Cat Ban who: Foreign Secretary Jack Straw what: Tells secretary of state that US was wrong to turn away Cat Stevens where: NEW YORK when: Yesterday snippet: Foreign Secretary Jack Straw "slammed" the treatment of Cat Stevens, writes The Sun`s Brian Flynn this morning, after the Sixties pacifist singer-songwriter was denied entry to the US on Tuesday night because his name was on an FBI security watch list. America`s Homeland Security Department "confirmed the move was to protect national security," says The Sun. But Mr Straw, in New York for meetings at the UN, complained to US Secretary of State Colin Powell to say the action "should not have been taken". In his heyday, Stevens had a string of hits singles including `Matthew and Son`, `Wild World` and `Morning Has Broken`. In 1978, he changed his name to Yusef Islam and abandoned his music career after becoming a Muslim. But in July 2000 "was denied entry to Israel amid reports he had donated tens of thousands of dollars to Hamas," says The Scotsman. "I want to make sure that people are aware that I`ve never ever knowingly supported any terrorist groups - past, present or future," he said at the time. The Telegraph says America`s passenger information system "should have prevented him checking in for the United Airlines flight 919 from Heathrow to Dulles, Washington, on Tuesday. However, his name failed to trigger any alarm, causing the flight`s diversion to Bangor airport [in Maine] when officials realised the mistake." [... more]

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