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At its November 23rd branch meeting, the NUJ West of Scotland Freelance Branch unanimously passed a motion condemning the Home Office deportation order against two American journalists, Philip Agee and Mark Hosenball. No reason was given by the Home Office, but Agee and Hosenball, who have lived in Britain for several years, believe the British Government issued the order under pressure from the CIA, because of the two journalists activities in bringing to light the activities of the CIA all over the world.
The NUJ Branch resolution noted that the use of a deportation order in this case was a potential threat to
all foreign journalists working in Bri-tain.
The General Management Committee of Kelvingrove. Constituency Labour Party has also come out publicly against the CIA - Home Office attack on Agee and Hosenball. It has called on local labour MP Neil Carmichael to withdraw his support from the Government in the voting lobbies unless the deportation order is withdrawn or criminal charges brought.
Agee and Hosenball are in an almost impossible legal position. Their only appeal is to a permanent Home Office
appeal tribunal where no evidence will be presented, and no witnesses crossexamined. And after the Tribunal there is no facility for appeal or judicial review.
It is imperative that all trade unionists come to the support of Agee and Hosenball by raising the Home Office order in their branches and ensuring that resolutions are passed condemning the order. These should be communicated to the Home Secretary, local MPs and the NUJ, to which both men belong LARRY HERMANN