Trumps revised travel ban slammed by over 130 experts
AFP
Over 130 US foreign policy experts have denounced President Donald Trumps revised travel ban, saying it undermines Americas national security and interests as much as the original order barring travelers from some Muslim-majority countries and refugees, reports AFP.
To Muslims -- including those victimized by or fighting against ISIS (Islamic State) -- it will send a message that reinforces the propaganda... that falsely claim the United States is at war with Islam, read the letter by former government officials and experts.
Welcoming Muslim refugees and travelers, by contrast, exposes the lies of terrorists and counters their warped vision, added the document dated Friday.
Among the 134 signatories were some who served in either or both Republican and Democratic administrations were former senior diplomat Nicholas Burns, ex-National Security Council counter-terrorism director Richard Clarke and ex-undersecretary of defense Michele Flournoy. Most served under Democratic presidents,
including former secretary of state Madeleine Albright, former Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano, ex-national security advisor Susan Rice and ex-National Counterterrorism director Matthew Olsen.
Their comments echo those being made in court by US states claiming the modified measures discriminate against Muslims and are detrimental to US interests.
Bans like those included in this order are harmful to US national security and beneath the dignity of our great nation, the letter read.
The executive order weakens this countrys ability to provide global leadership and jeopardizes our national security interests by failing to support the stability of our allies that are struggling to host large numbers of refugees, it added.
