DATE=12/31/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-224686
TITLE=U-S/IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IRAQ MAY
HAVE BEEN KILLED IN MASS EXECUTIONS OF OPPONENTS OF PRESIDENT
SADDAM HUSSEIN. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE ON THE STORY.
TEXT: THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS CREDIBLE
REPORTS THAT IRAQ HAS RECENTLY EXECUTED HUNDREDS OR EVEN
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF BEING OPPONENTS OF SADDAM
HUSSEIN.
THERE ARE ALSO REPORTS THAT SOME OF THOSE PUT TO DEATH SHOWED
CLEAR EVIDENCE OF TORTURE.
STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY CALLED ON IRAQ TO ALLOW
U-N OFFICIALS INTO THE COUNTRY TO INVESTIGATE THE TWO PRISONS
NEAR BAGHDAD WHERE THE SUMMARY EXECUTIONS ALLEGEDLY TOOK PLACE.
/// FOLEY ACT ///
THE REPORTS (OF EXECUTIONS) WE HAVE BEEN GETTING ARE
MULTIPLE -- SO THERE IS A BASIS CERTAINLY FOR
INVESTIGATING. SECONDLY, THE REPORTS ARE OF SUCH A
HORRIFIC NATURE THAT THEY COMPEL AN INVESTIGATION.
/// END ACT ///
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MANY OF THOSE REPORTEDLY EXECUTED WERE SERVING
LONG PRISON TERMS ON CHARGES OF INSULTING THE REGIME OR BECAUSE
THEY BELONGED TO AN OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY.
MR. FOLEY SAID THE REPORTS SUGGEST THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN IS FEELING
PRESSURE BECAUSE OF CONDITIONS INSIDE THE COUNTRY.
/// FOLEY ACT ///
THE SITUATION IN IRAQ CERTAINLY HAS NOT IMPROVED SINCE
HIS WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST KUWAIT. THE PLIGHT OF THE
IRAQI PEOPLE HAS NOT IMPROVED DURING THAT PERIOD. THERE
IS BOUND TO BE INCREASING OPPOSITION, INCREASING ANGUISH
INSIDE IRAQ, AND PERHAPS HE IS FEELING THE HEAT
POLITICALLY AND IS RESPONDING IN CHARACTERISTIC FORM.
/// END ACT ///
THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT MUST BE OBVIOUS TO THE
PEOPLE OF IRAQ THAT THEIR ANGUISH IS DUE TO THE ACTIONS OF
PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/RRM
31-Dec-97 4:51 PM EST (2151 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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