Saddam's regime isn't a nice regime, but it isn't a fundamentalist Islamic one either. One in five Iraqis are Catholics, including members of the government, and there's no pressure on women to keep out of sight or not to drive and so forth. All of which is in sharp contrast with such friendly countries as Saudi Arabia (where the hijackers came from, and where their perverted brand of Islam has its main backers.)

But passports - I was rather under the impression that in some circles having a passport is seen as rather opening holders to the suspicion of being a bit un-American.