PT 2/2, The Belligerent Statements of the Iraqi Leadership
Iraq News, Fri, 15 Jan 1999
By Laurie MylroieThe central focus of Iraq News is the tension between the considerable, proscribed WMD capabilities that Iraq is holding on to and its increasing stridency that it has complied with UNSCR 687 and it is time to lift sanctions. If you wish to receive Iraq News by email, a service which includes full-text of news reports not archived here, send your request to Laurie Mylroie .
III. SADDAM AND SENIOR OFFICIALS MEET, INA, JAN 14 IV. SADDAM AND SENIOR OFFICALS MEET, IRAQ RADIO, JAN 12 III. SADDAM AND SENIOR OFFICIALS MEET Baghdad INA in Arabic 1240 GMT 14 Jan 99 [FBIS Translated Text] Baghdad, 14 Jan (INA) -- President Saddam Husayn held a meeting that included Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq 'Aziz, and fighter Staff General 'Ali Hasan al-Majid, member of the Revolution Command Council. During the meeting, the participants discussed developments related to the US-UK aggression on Iraq and the various activities, some of which are suspicious and encouraged by the United States, Britain, and their agents and henchmen in the region. The approach employed to find a serious and fair solution to any issue is important. If the approach is fair then subsequent procedures and measures could lead to some justice. If the approach is not so, then nothing can be hoped from those who are behind this approach in terms of fairness and justice. Therefore, Iraq is of the view that the approach to any solution on Iraq and the other parties must include the following basic elements, otherwise we will regard it as having dishonest intentions and aims and that it is opposed to right and justice. In our view, the basic elements are the following: First: Keeping clear of double standards and unequal measures in terms of what Iraq is asked to respect or abide by in all the previous and subsequent issues; applying this principle to everyone without exception, particularly those who committed the latest aggression against Iraq, especially the United States and Britain; demanding these requirements and commitments of the Zionist entity with the result that the same measures and procedures that were applied against Iraq must be applied against it, especially with regard to the usurped rights of the Arabs in Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories; establishing and affirming all of this on the principles of international law and the well-known precedents in all cases and not on the basis of special considerations and descriptions pertaining to every case and each side, or subject to the balance of power and influence at the UN Security Council and other circles, thus disregarding fairness and justice. Second, based on these principles, we believe that: 1. The embargo imposed on Iraq must be immediately lifted in all its forms. What has thus far been achieved regarding the so-called issue of weapons of mass destruction is considered sufficient and fully compatible with the circumstances known at the time, even though many countries in the region still possess such weapons. The Zionist entity possesses all these types of weapons, in addition to nuclear weapons, which are far more fatal and dangerous. What is impermissible for Iraq must be made impermissible for all others without exception, and Article 14 of Resolution 687 must apply to the Zionist entity first. 2. The issue of Iraq's due compensation for the aggression inflicted in several stages since 1991 and the demands that others are making to Iraq must be dealt with on the basis of international law and legal precedents so that each party can get what is rightfully his. 3. It would be unfair to make Iraq bear the expenses and the cost of UN activities, and it would be impossible for Iraq to do so. If there are expenses to be born, then all the parties concerned must contribute in sharing the cost. 4. Everyone must respect Iraq's sovereignty, security, and independence in a serious manner, and they must not interfere in Iraq's internal affairs. The illegitimate no-fly zone in northern and southern Iraq must especially be lifted. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf. IV. SADDAM AND SENIOR OFFICALS MEET Baghdad Republic of Iraq Radio Network in Arabic 2003 GMT 12 Jan 99 [FBIS Translated Text] Leader President Saddam Husayn, may God preserve and protect him, met with a number of officials. The conferees discussed the latest developments in the political situation. Following the meeting, an official source stated the following: Iraq believes that an equitable dialogue -- which is based on goodwill and held under the canopy of the Arab nation's supreme interests in a manner that expresses the conscience of the nation and the feelings of the Arab masses and the Arab national security -- can provide practical solutions to the various, or conflicting positions and opinions of this party or that. Such solutions cannot be reached by ignoring the others' opinions or through conspiracies and maneuvers that take place in dark alleyways. If there is a need to reach serious solutions and stands that serve the nation, the sound basis is to consider pan-Arab security an indivisible whole and to consider any foreign aggression against any Arab country an aggression against the entire Arab nation. This requires each Arab country to carry out its duty toward this aggression in accordance with the Collective Arab Defense Pact. This also requires Arab officials to take a clear and specific stand, condemning and denouncing the American-British aggression against Iraq and those who supported and provided facilities, requirements, and practical and political support to this aggression. The meeting was attended by Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq 'Aziz, National Assembly Speaker Dr. Sa'dun Hammadi, Foreign Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf, and Culture and Information Minister Humam 'Abd-al-Khaliq.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
