DATE=3/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227487
TITLE=SENATE-IRAQ-SADDAM (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE HEAD OF AN IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUP IS ASKING THE U-S
GOVERNMENT AND CONGRESS FOR OPEN, DIRECT SUPPORT OF AN EFFORT TO
OVERTHROW PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS,
THE SENATE TOOK UP THE ISSUE (MONDAY).
TEXT: THE SHOWDOWN OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS HAS SET OFF AN
UNUSUAL PUBLIC DEBATE OVER WHAT MIGHT NORMALLY BE A COVERT
OBJECTIVE - TOPPLING A FOREIGN LEADER. BUT MEMBERS OF BOTH
PARTIES FEAR THE U-N AGREEMENT WITH BAGHDAD WILL NOT LAST AND THE
CRISIS WILL NEVER END AS LONG AS PRESIDENT SADDAM HOLDS POWER.
THE LEADER OF THE IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS, AHMED CHALABI, ECHOED
THESE CONCERNS. APPEARING BEFORE A SENATE PANEL, HE DENOUNCED
THE U-N DEAL AS APPEASEMENT AND SAID U-S AIR STRIKES WOULD BE
FUTILE. MR. CHALABI ALSO REJECTED THE NOTION OF A COUP AGAINST
PRESIDENT SADDAM. HE SAYS THE ONLY ANSWER IS A POPULAR UPRISING,
WITH OVERT, NOT SECRET, AMERICAN SUPPORT.
/// CHALABI ACT ///
SADDAM IS THE IRAQI PEOPLE'S PROBLEM AND WE ARE PREPARED
TO BEAR ANY BURDEN TO REMOVE HIM FROM POWER. ALL WE ASK
IS A CHANCE TO FREE OURSELVES. WE LOOK TO THE UNITED
STATES TO GIVE US THAT CHANCE.
/// END ACT ///
THE I-N-C WANTS TO START THE PROCESS BY SETTING UP A PROVISIONAL
GOVERNMENT IN SAFE HAVENS INSIDE IRAQ, WITH AMERICAN PLANES
PROTECTING THESE ZONES FROM GOVERNMENT TROOPS. SOME MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS HAVE SUGGESTED OTHER STEPS, INCLUDING A NAVAL BLOCKADE
OF IRAQ AND A BROADCAST PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN.
BUT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS REACTED CAUTIOUSLY TO THESE CALLS, SAYING
SUCH EFFORTS DID NOT ALWAYS WORK IN THE PAST. FORMER PRESIDENTIAL
AIDE RICHARD HAAS, WHO SERVED IN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION DURING
THE GULF WAR, GAVE SENATORS A SIMILAR ASSESSMENT. HE SAYS WHILE
OUSTING PRESIDENT SADDAM IS DESIRABLE IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE, WITH
HIS DOMESTIC OPPONENTS DIVIDED AND IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS UNWILLING TO
TAKE PART.
/// HAAS ACT ///
WHAT HAPPENS IF A LITTLE BIT OF AMERICAN HELP ISN'T
ENOUGH, IF A LITTLE BIT OF HELP TO PROTECT AN ENCLAVE
ISN'T ENOUGH, IF A LITTLE BIT OF AIRPOWER ISN'T ENOUGH?
WE ARE THEN ON THE HOOK OF ONE OF TWO DECISIONS. EITHER
WE LEAVE PEOPLE IN THE LURCH, WHICH I WOULD THINK IS
MORALLY INDEFENSIBLE, OR WE HAVE TO GET INVOLVED
COMPLETELY.
/// END ACT ///
STILL, THE IDEA OF OVERTHROWING PRESIDENT SADDAM IS ENDORSED BY A
GROWING NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS. MEANWHILE, THE UNITED NATIONS AND
ITS DEAL WITH IRAQ FACE MOUNTING CRITICISM.(SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WDC/PT
02-Mar-98 6:11 PM EST (2311 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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