Iraq says it is not expelling Western reporters

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - Iraq on Saturday denied expelling any Western journalists and said more reporters were expected to visit the country in coming days. <br> <br> On Thursday, U.S. television networks, including CNN, ABC and NBC, said President Saddam Hussein&#39;s government was expelling some foreign journalists and warning of restrictive new rules for getting back into the country. <br> <br> Eason Jordan, CNN&#39;s president of newsgathering, said the government was upset about foreign reporting of a demonstration outside the Iraqi Information Ministry in Baghdad by people upset that their imprisoned relatives had not been released in Saddam&#39;s general amnesty. <br> <br> In a statement Saturday, the Iraqi Press Center labeled reports of media expulsions as ``baseless.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Iraq issued one-week visas to about 500 foreign journalists to cover the Oct. 15 presidential election, in which authorities said Saddam won a new seven-year term with 100 percent of the votes. <br> <br> Reporters were allowed to stay for another week, but the Iraqis announced that no further extensions would be approved and journalists would have to leave when their visas expired. <br> <br> Most run out this weekend although the precise day varies depending on when the journalist arrived, Iraqi authorities said. <br> <br> Another group of reporters is expected to cover next week&#39;s Baghdad International Trade Fair, the Press Center statement said.