Pintak

The fact she put down "tourism" as her reason for entering Syria was not unusual, Pintak said.

The Seattle Times 2011

Larry Pintak, a former Middle East correspondent for CBS with more than 30 years in journalism, said journalists often list tourism as a reason for entering a country, and they often carry a lot of currency, as did Parvaz when she was detained on her arrival in Syria on April 29.

The Seattle Times 2011

Pintak said there's no reason to believe Parvaz isn't in Iran.

The Seattle Times 2011

"As a foreign correspondent, you certainly push the envelope," Pintak said.

The Seattle Times 2011

Pintak, who was based in Beirut while working for CBS, would carry in currency worth tens of thousands of dollars - with couriers bringing in more when needed - because credit cards can often be unusable: During unrest, banking and credit card systems simply aren't working.

The Seattle Times 2011

If she had been traveling on her U.S. passport, Pintak said, the U.S. embassy would have been able to use pressure to gain access to her.

The Seattle Times 2011

"I absolutely understand the temptation to use that Iranian passport to get into Syria," Pintak said.

The Seattle Times 2011

It was probably the expired passport that caused the most trouble, said Pintak, who writes and lectures on America's relationship with the Muslim world.

The Seattle Times 2011

Asked what he'd say to her fiance, Todd Barker, Pintak said: 'Hang in there.'

The Seattle Times 2011

As for saying she was a tourist, Pintak said usually the journalist will get a slap on the wrist, he said.

The Seattle Times 2011