ACCESSION NUMBER:288827
FILE ID:TXT104
DATE:06/14/93
TITLE:INDYK: CONTAINING THREATS FROM IRAQ AND IRAN (06/14/93)
TEXT:*93061404.TXT
INDYK: CONTAINING THREATS FROM IRAQ AND IRAN
(VOA Editorial) (480)
1Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America June 14,
reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)
The events of the past few years have brought profound changes to the
Middle East. The effect of these changes on U.S. policy was the subject of
a recent speech by Martin Indyk, senior director for Middle East policy for
the White House National Security Council. Indyk said that such factors as
the proliferation of ballistic missiles and the spread of extremism mean
that conflict in one part of the region can have a dramatic impact on
events elsewhere. As an example he cited the Persian Gulf war, which
demonstrated that "the missile age in the Middle East has created a
situation where Riyadh and Tel Aviv can find themselves under simultaneous
Iraqi attack."
In regard to Iraq, Indyk said the United States will continue to press for
full compliance with all U.N. resolutions, including Resolution 688, which
calls on the regime to end its repression of the Iraqi people. The United
States has also decided to seek the establishment of a U.N. commission to
investigate the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Iraq
itself. The purpose, said Indyk, "is to establish clearly...that the
current regime in Iraq is a criminal regime, beyond the pale of
international society." The United States is also providing strong backing
for the Iraqi National Congress as a democratic alternative to the Saddam
Hussein regime.
Indyk said that "containing the threat from Iran is a more difficult though
no less necessary undertaking." He said that, "Iran is engaged in a
five-part challenge to the United States and the international community.
It is the foremost state sponsor of terrorism and assassination across the
globe. Through its support for Hamas and Hizbollah, Iran is doing its best
to thwart our efforts to promote peace between Israel, the Palestinians and
the Arab states. Through its connections with Sudan, Iran is...actively
seeking to subvert friendly (Arab) governments. Through its active efforts
to acquire offensive weapons, Iran is seeking an ability to dominate the
(Persian) Gulf by military means. And, perhaps most disturbing," said
Indyk, Iran is seeking the capability to develop nuclear weapons and "the
ballistic missiles to deliver weapons of mass destruction to the Middle
East."
Indyk stressed that the United States "is not opposed to Islamic government
in Iran. Indeed," he said, "we have excellent relations with a number of
Islamic governments. Rather, we are firmly opposed to these specific
aspects of the Iranian regime's behavior, as well as its abuse of the human
rights of the Iranian people." Indyk said the United States does "not seek
a confrontation, but we will not normalize relations with Iran until and
unless Iran's policies change."
NNNN
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