"Surprise" visit to Iraq

[SteveD]

Tony Blair has just made a "surprise" visit to Iraq.  I imagine that procedures are already in place to allow such a visit to take place with the minimum of formalities.

 

However, several TV and radio journalists seem to have accompanied him.  Obviously, for security reasons, the prime minister's visit is kept secret until the last minute, but how do those reporters get their visas and security clearance etc processed at such short notice?

 

How are the reporters selected?  Surely they are not just told, "Pack a bag, you're off to Baghdad tomorrow"?

How secret is a "surprise" visit?

[saffstar]

I don't know about how the visa thing works but I went to listen to John Sargeant speaking recently and he said that in some cases he wouldn't know where he was going until the plane landed.  It is literally - "pack a bag, you're off 'somewhere'".

[LeMarchand]

If they get a "rush" visa to help publicise Tony's efforts, how is this different to what Blunkett is accused of?

[Hippy]

I think he was visiting the Middle East at this time, thinking he was a Wise Man!