U.S. Embassy Says News About Arrest Of U.S. Soldier At Habur Border Crossing Incorrect

ANKARA - The U.S. Embassy in Ankara said that news reports about arrest of a U.S. soldier at the Habur border crossing were incorrect.
Releasing a statement on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said that several Turkish newspapers reported the same day that a U.S. soldier was arrested at the Habur border pass for allegedly trying to enter Turkey from Iraq with several rounds of ammunition and other military supplies but those reports were incorrect.
The embassy stressed that no U.S. official, civilian or military, was arrested in any such incident.
Meanwhile, sources said that Christian Cruf, a U.S. citizen who was captured in Habur Border check-point with bullets, cartridge clips and a mask, was arrested.
Sources said that Cruf who works for a U.S. company in Iraq wanted to enter Turkey from the southeastern Habur Border pass three days ago but customs officers detained him when they found 60 bullets and 2 cartridge clips for Kalashnikov rifle and a mask in his bag.
Cruf appeared at court and the judges decide to send him to prison on charges of arms smuggling, sources added.
(MS-ULG) 04.08.2004