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03 September 1998

TEXT: CLINTON REPORTS ON IRAQ'S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH UNSC RESOLUTIONS

(Says Iraq remains a serious threat to peace and security) (5410)
Armagh, Northern Ireland -- "Iraq remains a serious threat to
international peace and security," President Clinton reported to
Congress September 3.
"I remain determined to see Iraq comply fully with all of its
obligations under UNSC resolutions. The United States looks forward to
the day when Iraq rejoins the family of nations as a responsible and
law-abiding member," the President said in his report on the status of
efforts to obtain Iraq's compliance with the resolutions adopted by
the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), covering the period from
June 24 to the present.
The President noted in particular Iraq's declaration on August 5 that
it was suspending all cooperation with the United Nations Special
Commission on Destruction of Weapons of Mass Destruction (UNSCOM) and
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "except some limited
monitoring activities."
"Iraq's refusal to cooperate with UNSCOM and the IAEA is totally
unacceptable; Iraq must meet its international obligations," Clinton
stated.
"The cornerstone of U.S. policy is to contain Iraq and prevent it from
threatening regional peace and security," he continued. "To that end,
the United States has supported UNSCOM since its inception and
continues to do so, as an integral part of our policy to contain Iraq
and disarm it of its WMD. We have consistently worked to uphold the
principle that UNSCOM must be able to do its job, free of Iraqi
restrictions and impediments. That includes inspections wherever,
whenever, and however the Executive Chairman of UNSCOM directs."
The U.S. continues to support the "oil-for-food" program and other
humanitarian efforts, he said, adding that "under the current phase,
phase four, which began in June, the U.N. Sanctions Committee has
approved the purchase of over $562 million worth of humanitarian
goods. United States companies can participate in the "oil-for-food"
program and over $165 million worth of contracts for U.S. firms have
been approved since the program began."
The President also made the following points:
-- On June 26, the Secretary of State reported to the Congress on
plans to establish a program to support the democratic opposition in
Iraq, as required by section 10008 of the 1998 Supplemental
Appropriations and Rescissions Act (Public Law 105-174).
-- The new Radio Free Iraq service, also funded by that Act, is
preparing to broadcast directly to the Iraqi people under the
direction of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
-- The United States maintains a significant military presence in the
region in order to provide the full range of military options
necessary to deter Iraqi aggression, to ensure that UNSC resolutions
are enforced, and to deal with other contingencies that may arise.
-- Despite major progress reported by UNSCOM in accounting for SCUD
CBW warheads during the reporting period, the Iraqis have taken a
giant step backward by continuing to deny the weaponization of VX
nerve agent.
-- In an interim report to the UNSC July 29, the IAEA said that Iraq
had provided no new information regarding outstanding issues and
concerns about its nuclear weapons program. The IAEA said while it has
a "technically coherent picture" of Iraq's nuclear program, Iraq has
never been fully transparent and its lack of transparency compounds
remaining uncertainties.
-- The human rights situation throughout Iraq continues to be a cause
for grave concern. Particularly troubling are the assassinations of
two distinguished Shia clerics -- Ayatollah Borujerdi on April 22 and
Grand Ayatollah Mirza Ali Gharavi on June 18.
-- In northern Iraq, the cease-fire between the Kurdish parties,
established in November 1997 as the result of U.S. efforts, continues
to hold.
Following is the text of the President's report:
(Begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Armagh, Northern Ireland)
September 3, 1998
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE
September 3, 1998
Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
Consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against
Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1) and as part of my effort to keep
the Congress fully informed, I am reporting on the status of efforts
to obtain Iraq's compliance with the resolutions adopted by the United
Nations Security Council (UNSC). This report covers the period from
June 24 to the present.
Introduction
From June 24 until August 5, Iraq had provided site access to U.N.
weapons inspectors, as required under UNSC resolutions and reaffirmed
under the terms of the February 23 Secretary General/Tariq Aziz MOU
and UNSC Resolution 1154. In June, UNSCOM inspectors presented a work
plan to Iraq to delineate areas of concern and elements that Iraq
needed to disclose. However, in June, UNSCOM revealed that it had
found evidence of Iraqi weaponization of VX nerve agent and in July,
Iraq refused to turn over a document accounting for use of CW during
the Iran-Iraq war. On August 3-4, when Chairman Butler was in Iraq to
discuss phase two of the work plan, the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister
claimed that Iraq was fully "disarmed" and demanded that this be
reported to the Council; Butler refused, and subsequently departed
Baghdad.
On August 5, Iraq declared that it was suspending all cooperation with
UNSCOM and the IAEA, except some limited monitoring activities. On
August 6, the Security Council President issued a press statement
which noted that Iraq's action contravenes the February 23 MOU and
relevant Security Council resolutions. On August 11/12, the IAEA and
UNSCOM sent letters to the Security Council that noted that Iraq's
decision to suspend cooperation with them halted "all of the
disarmament activities" of UNSCOM and placed limitations on the
inspection and monitoring activities of both organizations. On August
18, the Council President replied in writing to UNSCOM and IAEA on the
Council's behalf reiterating full support for the full implementation
of their mandates and underscoring Iraq's obligation to cooperate in
the conduct of their activities, including inspections. Chairman
Butler wrote to the Iraqi regime August 19 expressing his willingness
to resume activity, but that offer was rebuffed.
On August 20, the Security Council met to conduct the periodic review
of Iraq's compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions. It
stated that "the necessary conditions do not exist for the
modification of the regime established" in relevant resolutions.
Moreover, the Security Council "reiterates that the decision by Iraq
to suspend cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA (on August 5) is
totally unacceptable" and that it "views with extreme concern the
continuing refusal by the Government of Iraq to rescind its decision."
The United States is working with other Security Council members to
suspend subsequent periodic reviews until Iraq reverses course and
resumes cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA.
The cornerstone of U.S. policy is to contain Iraq and prevent it from
threatening regional peace and security. To that end, the United
States has supported UNSCOM since its inception and continues to do
so, as an integral part of our policy to contain Iraq and disarm it of
its WMD. We have consistently worked to uphold the principle that
UNSCOM must be able to do its job, free of Iraqi restrictions and
impediments. That includes inspections wherever, whenever, and however
the Executive Chairman of UNSCOM directs. There have been allegations
recently that the United States impeded some kinds of inspections
since last fall. In fact, the international effort to secure full
access for UNSCOM and the IAEA last fall and winter was led by the
United States. Since early August, the United States has again led the
effort to reverse Iraq's decision blocking UNSCOM activities.
Decisions on how UNSCOM does its job, including timing, locations and
modalities for inspections, are the Chairman's to make. As Chairman
Butler stated on August 14, "Consultations on policy matters take
place regularly between the Executive Chairman and Council members,
but all operational decisions are taken by the Executive Chairman (of
UNSCOM) who has not been given and would find it invidious were any
attempt made to direct his operational decisions or to micro-manage
the day-to-day work of the Special Commission."
Iraq's refusal to cooperate with UNSCOM and the IAEA is totally
unacceptable; Iraq must meet its international obligations. In the
first instance, the Council and the Secretary General must respond
effectively to Iraq's flagrant challenge to their authority. We are
working with Council members to ensure that there is a clear, united
and forceful U.N. response to Iraq's actions. If the Council fails to
persuade the Iraqi regime to resume cooperation, all other options are
on the table.
We continue to support the international community's efforts to
provide for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people through the
"oil-for-food" program and other humanitarian efforts. On May 27,
1998, Iraq presented a distribution plan for the implementation of
Resolution 1153, which had been adopted on February 20. Under phase
three of the "oil-for-food" program, which ran from December 3, 1997,
through June 2, 1998, $1.1 billion worth of humanitarian goods were
approved for export to Iraq. Under the current phase, phase four,
which began in June, the U.N. Sanctions Committee has approved the
purchase of over $562 million worth of humanitarian goods. United
States companies can participate in the "oil-for-food" program and
over $165 million worth of contracts for U.S. firms have been approved
since the program began.
On June 26, the Secretary of State reported to the Congress on plans
to establish a program to support the democratic opposition in Iraq,
as required by section 10008 of the 1998 Supplemental Appropriations
and Rescissions Act (Public Law 105-174). Opposition leaders and their
representatives have been generally receptive to the focus on the
central themes of building a consensus on the transition from
dictatorship to pluralism, conveying to the U.N. opposition views on
Iraqi noncompliance with U.N. resolutions and compiling information to
support the indictment of Iraqi officials for war crimes. The new
Radio Free Iraq service, also funded by that Act, is preparing to
broadcast directly to the Iraqi people under the direction of Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty. These new programs will help us encourage
the Iraqi people to build a pluralistic, peaceful Iraq that observes
the international rule of law and respects basic human rights. Such an
Iraq would have little trouble regaining its rightful place in the
region and in the international community.
The United States maintains a significant military presence in the
region in order to provide the full range of military options
necessary to deter Iraqi aggression, to ensure that UNSC resolutions
are enforced, and to deal with other contingencies that may arise.
U.S. and Coalition Force Levels in the Gulf Region
In view of Saddam's record of aggressive behavior, it is prudent to
retain a significant force presence in the region to deter Iraq and
deal with any threat it might pose to its neighbors. The U.S. and
allied forces now in the region are prepared to deal with all
contingencies. We have the capability to respond rapidly to possible
Iraqi aggression. We have restructured our in-theater force levels
since my last report. We will continue to maintain a robust force
posture, and moreover, have established a rapid reinforcement
capability to supplement our forces in the Gulf when needed. Our
cruise missile force is twice the pre-October 1997 level, a number
that can be augmented significantly within days. Our contingency plans
allow us the capability for a swift, powerful strike.
The aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN and accompanying combatant
ships and aircraft are on station in the Gulf today. Our forces in the
region include land and carrier-based air-craft, surface warships, a
Marine expeditionary unit, a Patriot missile battalion, a mechanized
battalion task force and a mix of special operations forces deployed
in support of USCINCCENT operations. To enhance force protection
throughout the region, additional military security personnel are also
deployed.
Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch
The United States and coalition partners continue to enforce the
no-fly zones over Iraq under Operation Northern Watch and Operation
Southern Watch. There have been no observed no-fly zone violations.
However, on June 30, U.S. forces responded to an Iraqi "threat radar"
and subsequently defended the coalition forces by firing an
anti-radiation (HARM) missile. We have made clear to Iraq and to all
other relevant parties that the United States and coalition partners
will continue to enforce both no-fly zones. The no-fly zones remain in
effect.
The Maritime Interception Force
The Maritime Interception Force (MIF), operating under the authority
of UNSC Resolution 665, vigorously enforces U.N. sanctions in the
Gulf. The U.S. Navy is the single largest component of this
multinational force, but it is frequently augmented by ships and
aircraft from Australia, Canada, Belgium, The Netherlands, New
Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Today in the Gulf, ships and aircraft
from Canada and the United Kingdom are operating with us in maritime
patrols. Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council support the MIF
by providing logistical support and shipriders and by accepting
vessels diverted for violating U.N. sanctions against Iraq.
The MIF continues to intercept vessels involved in illegal smuggling
from Iraq. In late August, we conducted stepped-up operations in the
far northern Gulf in the shallow waters near the major Iraqi
waterways. These operations severely disrupted smuggling operations in
the region. Since the beginning of the year, over thirty vessels have
been detained for violations of the embargo and sent to ports in the
Gulf for enforcement actions by the GCC. Kuwait and the UAE, two
countries adjacent to the smuggling routes, have also stepped up their
enforcement efforts and have recently intercepted and detained vessels
involved in sanctions violations. Although petroleum products comprise
most of the prohibited traffic, the MIF has recently diverted vessels
engaged in date smuggling as well. Smuggling into Iraq is also a
target for MIF patrols. One additional difficulty remains in our
effort to enforce U.N. sanctions. Ships involved in smuggling have
often utilized the territorial seas of Iran to avoid MIF inspections.
We have recently provided detailed reports of these illegal activities
to the U.N. sanctions Committee in New York.
Chemical Weapons
Despite major progress reported by UNSCOM in accounting for SCUD CBW
warheads during this period, the Iraqis have taken a giant step
backward by continuing to deny the weaponization of VX nerve agent.
This denial is in direct contravention of the finding for UNSCOM by
the U.S. Army Edgewood Arsenal of stabilized VX nerve agent in SCUD
missile warhead fragments recovered by UNSCOM in Iraq. France and
Switzerland are now examining further samples taken in Iraq. They may
not report results to UNSCOM until late September. However, we, UNSCOM
Executive Chairman Butler, and a team of international experts
gathered by Butler are unanimously confident of the scientific
accuracy of the Edgewood results -- which Butler has declared
publicly. Iraq is lying today about VX.
While the Iraqis provided new documents to help account for R-400
aerial bombs used for chemical weapons, they have failed to provide
the needed accounting for missing 155mm mustard-filled shells.
On July 22, 1998, UNSCOM reported in a letter to the President of the
Security Council that Iraq had refused to allow an UNSCOM chief
inspector to take, or even copy, a document found in Iraqi air force
headquarters that gave an accounting of chemical munitions used during
the Iran-Iraq war. This document would be of great value in helping
UNSCOM establish a true material balance for Iraqi chemical munitions
-- a mandatory task for UNSCOM. During Butler's aborted visit to Iraq
August 3-4, the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister told Ambassador Butler
that Iraq would never give it to the Commission. This evidence
directly contradicts the Iraqi claim that it has given UNSCOM all the
information it has.
Biological Weapons
In July 1998, UNSCOM assembled yet another group of international
experts to meet with Iraqi counterparts for review of Iraqi
declarations on the biological weapons program. And again, the Iraqis
presented no new material. The experts thus found, again, that Iraq's
declarations are not adequate for credible verification. This
conclusion covered weapons (SCUD missile BW warheads, R-400 BW bombs,
drop-tanks to be filled with BW, and spray devices for BW), production
of BW agents (botulinum toxin, anthrax, aflatoxin, and wheat cover
smut), and BW agent growth media.
The report of this UNSCOM-250 mission of international experts
recommended to the UNSCOM Executive Chairman that no further
verification of Iraq's declarations be conducted until Iraq commits
itself to provide new and substantive information, stating that any
other approach would be counter-productive.
Long-Range Missiles
UNSCOM Executive Chairman Richard Butler reported to the Security
Council on August 5 that UNSCOM and Iraq had made significant progress
in the accounting of both CBW and conventional SCUD warheads, as well
as the material balance of major components for SCUD engine
production. However, no progress was reported in accounting for the
unique SCUD propellant possessed by Iraq, and the Iraqi Deputy Prime
Minister refuses to allow further discussion of Iraq's concealment
program, including the hiding of SCUD warheads.
Nuclear Weapons
In an interim report to the UNSC July 29, the IAEA said that Iraq had
provided no new information regarding outstanding issues and concerns.
The IAEA said while it has a "technically coherent picture" of Iraq's
nuclear program, Iraq has never been fully transparent and its lack of
transparency compounds remaining uncertainties. The IAEA noted Iraq
claims to have no further documentation on such issues as weapons
design engineering drawings, experimental data, and drawings received
from foreign sources in connection with Iraq's centrifuge enrichment
program. The IAEA also reported that Iraq said it was "unsuccessful"
in its efforts to locate verifiable documentation of the abandonment
of the nuclear program. Iraq has failed to pass the measures required
under UNSC Resolution 715 to implement UNSC Resolutions 687, 707 and
other relevant resolutions, including the penal laws required to
enforce them.
Dual-Use Imports
Resolution 1051 established a joint UNSCOM/IAEA unit to monitor Iraq's
imports of allowed dual-use items. Iraq must notify the unit before it
imports specific items which can be used in both weapons of mass
destruction and civilian applications. Similarly, U.N. members must
provide timely notification of exports to Iraq of such dual-use items.
We continue to be concerned that Iraq's land borders are extremely
porous. Iraq continues substantial trade with its neighbors. There is
significant potential for evasion of sanctions by land routes, giving
additional weight to our position that UNSCOM must have full and
unconditional access to all locations, and be allowed to inspect and
monitor Iraqi compliance over time.
Iraq's Concealment Mechanisms
In June, UNSCOM Chairman Butler presented Iraq with a proposed work
plan which, had Iraq cooperated, could have moved the process of
verifying the disarmament forward. However, when Butler made a return
visit August 3-4, the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister denounced UNSCOM and
demanded that UNSCOM report to the Council that Iraq was "disarmed in
all areas." On August 5, Iraq announced it was suspending cooperation
with UNSCOM and the IAEA. The following day, the Security Council
President issued a press statement declaring the Iraqi decision
"totally unacceptable," noting that it "contravened" relevant Security
Council resolutions.
On August 11, 1998, IAEA Director-General El Baradei wrote to the
President of the Security Council that Iraq's August 5 decision to
suspend its cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA "makes it impossible
for the IAEA ... to investigate ... remaining questions and concerns
...," and that Iraq's decision will allow only "limited
implementation" of monitoring that will "fall short of full
implementation of the OMV plan and result in a significantly reduced
level of assurance" that Iraq is not renewing its programs for weapons
of mass destruction.
On August 12, 1998, UNSCOM Executive Chairman Butler sent the
President of the Security Council a letter similar to the August 11
letter of the IAEA noted above, saying that "Iraq's actions bring to a
halt all of the disarmament activities of the Commission and place
limitations on the rights of the Commission to conduct its monitoring
operations."
On August 18, the Council President replied to UNSCOM and the IAEA on
behalf of the Council, reiterating the full support of the Council for
IAEA and UNSCOM to fully implement their mandates and noting that Iraq
is obliged to cooperate with them in their activities, including
inspections. On August 19, Chairman Butler wrote to the Iraqi
government seeking a resumption of the dialogue between UNSCOM and the
regime and of all substantive UNSCOM work. That request was
immediately rebuffed.
On August 20, the Security Council conducted its periodic review of
Iraq's compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions. The
Council stated that "the Sanctions Review showed that the necessary
conditions do not exist for the modification of the regime" and
reiterated that "the decision by Iraq to suspend cooperation with
UNSCOM and the IAEA is totally unacceptable." Further, "they view with
extreme concern the continuing refusal by the Government of Iraq to
rescind its decision."
We continue to work with the Council in its effort to bring about full
Iraqi cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA. We are now seeking a
Council resolution that would suspend further periodic reviews until
Iraq reverses course and resumes cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA.
Iraq's refusal to cooperate is a challenge to the authority of the
Security Council and to the credibility of all international weapons
nonproliferation efforts, since UNSCOM and the IAEA are responsible to
the Security Council for the most thorough arms control regime on
earth.
The U.N.'s "Oil-for-Food" Program
We continue to support the international community's efforts to
provide for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people through the
"oil-for-food" program and other humanitarian efforts. Under the last
phase of the "oil-for-food" program, which ran from December 3, 1997,
through June 2, 1998, $1.1 billion worth of humanitarian goods were
approved for export to Iraq. United States companies can participate
in "oil-for-food" and over $165 million worth of contracts for U.S.
firms have been approved.
Under the current phase of "oil-for-food" Iraq is authorized to sell
up to $5.2 billion worth of oil every 180 days, up from $2.0 billion
in previous phases. Although the UNSC resolution outlining this
program, Resolution 1153, was adopted on February 20, Iraq did not
present an acceptable distribution plan for the implementation of
Resolution 1153 until May 27, 1998; it was accepted by the U.N.
Secretary General on May 29.
Under the current phase of the "oil-for-food" program, 235 contracts
for the purchase of humanitarian goods for the Iraqi people have been
presented for approval; of these, 162 contracts worth over $562
million have been approved and 13 are on hold pending clarification of
questions about the proposed contracts. With regard to oil sales, 50
contracts with a total value of $955 million have been approved so far
during this phase.
The United States has supported the repair of the Iraqi oil
infrastructure in order to allow sufficient oil to be exported to fund
the level of humanitarian purchases the Security Council approved in
UNSC Resolution 1153. Treasury is in the process of amending its
regulations to allow U.S. companies to bid on oil infrastructure
repair contracts just as they are permitted both to purchase Iraqi oil
and sell humanitarian goods under the U.N. "oil-for-food" program.
Resolution 1153 maintains the separate program for northern Iraq,
administered directly by the U.N. in consultation with the local
population. This program, which the United States strongly supports,
receives 13 to 15 percent of the funds generated under the
"oil-for-food" program. The separate northern program was established
because of the Baghdad regime's proven disregard for the humanitarian
condition of the Kurdish, Assyrian, and Turkomen minorities of
northern Iraq and its readiness to apply the most brutal forms of
repression against them. The well-documented series of chemical
weapons attacks a decade ago by the government against civilians in
the north is only one example of this brutality. In northern Iraq,
where Baghdad does not exercise control, the "oil-for-food" program
has been able to operate relatively effectively. The Kurdish factions
are seeking to set aside their differences to work together so that
UNSC Resolution 1153 is implemented as efficiently as possible.
The U.N. must carefully monitor implementation of Resolution 1153. As
the current phase anticipates a doubling of goods flowing into Iraq,
including equipment for infrastructure repairs in areas such as oil
export capacity, generation of electricity, and water purification,
the U.N. faces increasing challenges in monitoring. The Iraqi
government continues to insist on the need for rapid lifting of the
sanctions regime, despite its clear record of non-compliance with its
obligations under relevant U.N. resolutions -- a record which was
unanimously acknowledged during the Security Council's 39th sanctions
review on June 24. We will continue to work with the U.N. Secretariat,
the Security Council, and others in the international community to
ensure that the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people are met while
denying any political or economic benefits to the Baghdad regime.
The Human Rights Situation in Iraq
The human rights situation throughout Iraq continues to be a cause for
grave concern. Particularly troubling are the assassinations of two
distinguished Shia clerics -- Ayatollah Borujerdi on April 22 and
Grand Ayatollah Mirza Ali Gharavi on June 18. These killings have been
widely attributed to the Baghdad regime and were followed by an
increased security presence in the predominantly Shia cities of south
and central Iraq, such as Najaf and Karbala. These events expose a
callous disregard for human life and the free exercise of religion.
Summary, arbitrary, and extra-judicial executions also remain a
primary concern. Baghdad still refuses to allow independent
inspections of Iraqi prisons despite the conclusion of U.N. Special
Rapporteur for Iraq, Max Van der Stoel, that "there is strong evidence
that hundreds of prisoners (were) executed in Abu Graraib and
Radwaniyah prisons" late last year. As noted in my last report, based
on these reports of summary executions and other ongoing human rights
violations, the U.N. Human Rights Commission in April issued a strong
condemnation of the "all-pervasive repression and oppression" of the
Iraqi government. Nevertheless, sources inside Iraq report another
wave of executions in June, with about sixty people summarily killed.
In southern Iraq, the government continues to repress the Shia
population, destroying the Marsh Arabs' way of life and the unique
ecology of the southern marshes. In the north, outside the
Kurdish-controlled areas, the government continues the forced
expulsion of tens of thousands of ethnic Kurds and Turkomen from
Kirkuk and other cities. The government continues to stall and
obfuscate attempts to account for more than 600 Kuwaitis and
third-country nationals who disappeared at the hands of Iraqi
authorities during or after the occupation of Kuwait. The Government
of Iraq shows no sign of complying with UNSC Resolution 688, which
demands that Iraq cease the repression of its own people.
Northern Iraq:  Deepening Engagement
In northern Iraq, the cease-fire between the Kurdish parties,
established in November 1997 as the result of U.S. efforts, continues
to hold. It is strengthened by growing and effective cooperation
between the parties on humanitarian matters, particularly those
related to the U.N.'s "oil-for-food" program. Working with the U.N.,
the Kurds have been able to resolve nutrition and medical problems and
look forward to rebuilding their infrastructure as U.N. programs
expand.
David Welch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near
Eastern Affairs, led a U.S. delegation to the north, July 17-20. He
encouraged the Kurds' efforts towards peace; underscored U.S. support
for their human rights, physical welfare and safety; and renewed our
decades-long engagement with them. During the visit, Massoud Barzani,
leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and Jalal Talabani,
leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), made positive,
forward-looking statements on political reconciliation, and they
accepted separate invitations to visit the United States later this
year.
The United States firmly supports the territorial integrity of Iraq.
Supporting the rights and welfare of Iraqi Kurds within Iraq in no way
contradicts that support. The United States is committed to ensuring
that international aid continues to get through to the north, that the
human rights of the Kurds and northern Iraq minority groups, such as
the Turkomen, Assyrians, Yezedis and others are respected, and that
the no-fly zone enforced by Operation Northern Watch is observed.
We will continue our efforts to reach a permanent reconciliation
through mediation in order to help the people of northern Iraq find
the permanent, stable settlement they deserve, and to minimize the
influence of either Baghdad or Tehran. Baghdad continues to pressure
the two groups to enter into negotiations.
The Iraqi Opposition
It is the policy of the U.S. Government to support the Iraqi
opposition by establishing unifying programs on which all of the
opposition can agree. Section 10008 of the 1998 Supplemental
Appropriations and Rescissions Act (P.L. 105-174), earmarks $5 million
in FY 98 Economic Support Funds for these programs. These programs are
designed to encourage and assist political opposition groups,
nonpartisan opposition groups, and unaffiliated Iraqis concerned about
their nation's future in peacefully espousing democracy, pluralism,
human rights, and the rule of law for their country. Based on
extensive consultations with opposition leaders and representatives,
we have found a deep resonance on several central themes. These are:
building a consensus on the transition from dictatorship to pluralism,
conveying to the U.N. opposition views on Iraqi noncompliance with
U.N. resolutions and compiling information to support indictment of
Iraqi officials for war crimes.
Iraq is a diverse country -- ethnically, religiously, and culturally.
The Iraqi opposition reflects this diversity. We emphasize themes and
programs, rather than individuals and groups, in order to encourage
unity and discourage the rivalries which have divided the opposition
in the past. Many opposition political groups that formerly
coordinated their efforts decided several years ago to work
independently. We are interested in working with them towards greater
unity on their own terms, not in forcing the issue by declaring that
any one group must take the lead. We firmly believe they can succeed
in this effort.
We anticipate that there will be a need for additional funding for
these programs as the opposition becomes more active and as it grows.
The funds will be administered by the Department of State working
through established NGOs, Federal institutions, and comparable private
organizations. To ensure transparency and accountability and to avoid
creating potential rivalries among opposition groups, none of these
funds will go directly to any opposition group.
The United Nations Compensation Commission
The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), established
pursuant to UNSC Resolutions 687 and 692, continues to resolve claims
against Iraq arising from Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of
Kuwait. The UNCC has issued over 1.3 million awards worth
approximately $7 billion. Thirty percent of the proceeds from the oil
sales permitted by UNSC Resolutions 986, 1111, 1143, and 1153 have
been allocated to the Compensation Fund to pay awards and to finance
operations of the UNCC. To the extent that money is available in the
Compensation Fund, initial payments to each claimant are authorized
for awards in the order in which the UNCC has approved them, in
installments of $2,500. To date, 809 U.S. claimants have received an
initial installment payment, and payment is still in process for
another 25 U.S. claimants.
Conclusion
Iraq remains a serious threat to international peace and security. I
remain determined to see Iraq comply fully with all of its obligations
under UNSC resolutions. The United States looks forward to the day
when Iraq rejoins the family of nations as a responsible and
law-abiding member.
I appreciate the support of the Congress for our efforts and shall
continue to keep the Congress informed about this important issue.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
(end text)