Tracking Number: 241851
Title: "Iraqi Opposition Calls for Safe Haven in Southern Iraq." An opposition coalition representing all ethnic groups in Iraq has announced strong support of the UN Security
Council action of establishing a "no-fly" zone over southern Iraq and urged the extension of this protection to the entire country. (920904)
Author: HOLMES, NORMA (USIA STAFF WRITER)
Date: 19920904
Text:
*NEA505
09/04/92 *
IRAQI OPPOSITION CALLS FOR SAFE HAVEN IN SOUTHERN IRAQ (Iraqi expatriots support "no-fly" order) (680) By Norma Holmes USIA Staff Writer Washington -- An opposition coalition representing all ethnic groups in Iraq has announced strong support of the U.N. Security Council action of establishing a "no-fly" zone over southern Iraq and urged the extension of this protection to the entire country.
In a briefing for press September 4, representatives of the Independent Assembly of Iraq in the U.S. and Canada also called for a U.N. security zone in southern Iraq, similar to the "Operation Safe Haven" zone established in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq.
The representatives, who said they are members of the executive committee of the Iraqi National Council, indicated that they spoke on behalf of all ethnic groups in Iraq.
"We are united in our objective to create a unified, independent and democratic Iraq, which respects the rights of all Iraqis, and is at peace with its neighbors," said Dr. Mahdi Al-Bassam, a Shia representative.
He said the assembled opposition representatives endorse the work of the Iraqi National Congress, but also retain the autonomy of their groups.
Al-Bassam said the no-fly zone "should be converted to a safe haven in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 688. The rest of Iraq should also be a safe haven."
After that, he said, the Council's objectives would be to try to deliver humanitarian aid -- food, medication and other assistance -- to the people and to relocate them back into the cities, villages and towns from which they had been removed.
"The indictment of Saddam Hussein for specific and well-documented crimes against humanity should also move forward simultaneously, in order to remove any legitimacy he may have as the ruler of Iraq," Al-Bassam added.
Later, in a USIA interview, Al Bassam said proceeds from the sale of the vast oil reserves in southern Iraq and the areas of Kirkuk, which now can only be used for local consumption, "should be permitted to be used (sold) for rehabilitation of the Iraqi people."
Al Bassam also called for the release of frozen Iraqi assets, totaling about $55,000 million, which he said should be used to provide humanitarian aid for the displaced people of Iraq, to help them reestablish their homes.
Executive committee member M. Mohammmed Ali, also speaking for the Supreme Islamic Council, called on the Western and Arab countries, which supported Saddam Hussein before the invasion of Kuwait, "not to do business with Saddam Hussein."
"Ninety percent or more of the army in Iraq are not with the regime of Saddam Hussein," Ali declared.
"Ninety percent of the people of Iraq are not loyal to Saddam, but are afraid of Saddam Hussein." Ali said "people inside and outside Iraq are all in favor of the no-fly zone, and call on the allies to implement Resolution 688."
Shaheen M. Nakeeb, a professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, who spoke for the Turkoman American Council of the U.S. and Canada, said that Saddam Hussein now "has a free hand in committing genocide on the citizens of Iraq."
Nakeeb said there are approximately two million Turkic people living in Iraq, where the Iraqi government for many years has attempted to forcibly displace them from their home towns, destroy their culture and ethnicity.
"Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, Turkomans, Kurds and Arabs have been killed, tortured and poisoned by Saddam Hussein's secret service execution squads.... Now is the best time to act to stop this carnage," Nakeeb said.
He said, "Saddam Hussein in the past 15 years has destroyed a considerable number of entire villages."
Nakeeb said that when the house of Saddam Hussein's cousin was recently burned, an audio cassette was found on which Saddam "discussed his plan to destroy 250,000 Turkoman who live in Kirkuk." Nakeeb said that copies of the tape have been given to United Nations agencies and to the State Department.
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File Identification: 09/04/92, NEA505; 09/08/92, NAA203
Product Name: Wireless File
Product Code: WF
Languages: Arabic
Keywords: OPPOSITION
GROUPS; OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH; IRAQ/Defense & Military; ATROCITIES; DISCRIMINATION; MOSLEMS; KURDS; HUSSEIN, SADDAM; UNITED NATIONS-SECURITY COUNCIL; BASSAM, MAHDI AL-; NO-FLY ZONES
Thematic Codes: 1NE; 1UN
Target
Areas: NE
PDQ Text Link: 241851
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