Iraq and the Arabs
Iraq News, FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 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 .
I. AMB. MOHAMMAD AL SABAH, REMARKS, JAN 13 II. ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING, AL HAYAH, JAN 26 III. SADDAM'S ADDRESS TO PEOPLE OF BASRA, IRAQ RADIO, JAN 26 IV. NAT'L ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES SESSION, INA, JAN 27 Khidr Hamza--a high-ranking official in Iraq's nuclear program, who defected to the INC in 1994, when it was based in Northern Iraq; was refused protection or support by the CIA; traveled to Libya for want of any better option; and after six months, in which things got straightened out, came to the US--appeared yesterday on CBS' 60 Minutes II. Hamza stressed the importance of Iraq's nuclear program to Saddam. That was suggested by its size, Hamza explained. Some 12,000 people worked in the nuclear program, whereas hundreds worked in the chemical and biological programs. And Iraq's nuclear program continues. Since the Gulf war, there have been some 5,000 new appointments. In 1991, as Hamza explained, Iraq was within 2-6 months of a Hiroshima size bomb. All Iraq lacks now for a bomb is the fissile material, which may be available in Russia. David Albright, head of ISIS, said that if Saddam obtained the fissile material, he would have a bomb in a relatively short time, less than a year. Paul Leventhal, head of the NCI, and Gary Milhollin, head of the Wisconsin Project, concurred. Albright explained that there was no solution, unless the US ousted the Iraqi regime. Hamza agreed, "Unless you remove Saddam Hussein, he will have a bomb. He never gives up. He never forgets an enemy." In a Jan 25 press briefing, Centcom commander, Gen. Anthony Zinni suggested that the solution regarding Iraq was a post-Saddam regime. But yesterday, as the Wash Post reported today, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Zinni said "There are 91 opposition groups. 91 . . . I don't see an opposition group that has the viability to overthrow Saddam at this point." Where does Zinni get the idea there are 91 opposition groups? Moreover, Zinni seems to believe it is possible for the US to pull off a coup in Iraq. "Zinni noted at one point that the administration has been working to unify exile opposition groups operating outside Iraq as a political force, then added 'What we do with the ones inside Iraq, I'd rather address in closed session.'" The Bush administration began its support for the Iraqi National Congress--which represents the option of overthrowing Saddam through a popular insurgency--already in 1992, when it came to see that a coup was not likely in Iraq. However, the Clinton administration, despite its 1992 campaign rhetoric in favor of human rights and democracy in Iraq, disregarded that lesson. A coup strategy seemed less risky, while the Clinton administration was very concerned that if it supported an insurgency, Saddam might attack the insurgents, and it would have to defend them. That fear crippled the INC in Mar 95, when it launched a modest probing operation against the Iraqi army, from Kurdish-held territory. Although the INC operation was successful, the White House panicked, apprehending it might be drawn into a conflict. The administration turned against the INC and has spent the better part of five years, fruitlessly promoting coups in Iraq, as AEI's David Wurmser details in his new book, "Tyranny's Ally: America's Failure to Defeat Saddam Hussein." It can be taken as nearly axiomatic that if any US official is aware of plotting against Saddam, Saddam is too. Thus, there seems to be something very wrong with the information/analysis that Gen. Zinni is receiving. Moreover, as Wurmser detailed the reports/expectations of a coup-to-be were often used to discourage US support for the popular opposition. Indeed, sometimes such reports/expectations seem to have been deliberately planted by Iraqi intelligence. Gen. Zinni may be repeating the same mistake. "Iraq News" strongly believes that if it is thought that the Iraq Liberation Act does not represent a viable option, then the only reasonable alternative is for the US to go back to war and finish the job that George Bush did not complete. The problem--Saddam's retained unconventional capabilities--should have been addressed when it was first recognized, in Aug 95, following Hussein Kamil's defection. Yet for a variety of reasons, it was not. It has only gotten worse with time and will continue to do so, with Iraq's nuclear program the big nightmare on the horizon, as 60 Minutes II explained. Indeed, Sen John Warner [R. Va], in comments at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, excerpted in today's Wash Post, said, "The United States is at a turning point in our policy towards Iraq. Over the last few months, we have seen Saddam Hussein terminate UNSCOM operations, we've seen an aborted US response in November, followed by an operation Desert Fox in December. And now we're seeing an ever-increasing Iraqi aggression against US and British aircraft patrolling the two no-fly zones, and Iraqi verbal aggression against Arab nations in the region, including a threat to rescind Iraqi recognition of Kuwait. . . As the debate over formulation of a new international policy rages, Iraq is left free to rebuild its military capabilities and perhaps even the [weapons of mass destruction] capabilities, which the world fears so much." Indeed, Al Sharq Al Awsat, Jan 28, reported that a "high level Saudi source" explained, "The Gulf Cooperation Council states still do not feel safe from the evil and danger of the Iraqi regime which is still a worrying security concern. It is like a poisoned dagger that is ready to strike any Gulf state, if it were allowed to rebuild its military power and to keep weapons of mass destruction, particularly the bacteriological and biological weapons, because they pose a major threat to the neighboring states." On Jan 13, Kuwait's ambassador, Mohammed Al-Sabah, addressed CSIS. Al-Sabah identified Saddam as representative of "the fundamental problems the US, and indeed the world, will be facing in the next century: 1) the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; 2) "a regime with tremendous propensity for aggression and utter disregard for international law;" 3) "a regime with a proven track record of state-sponsored terroism;"and 4) "regime with a brutal disrespect and contempt for human rights and human dignity." Al-Sabah explained, "Iraq reneged on its obligations that ended the Gulf War when Tariq Aziz reiterated his bankrupt assertions that Kuwait is part of Iraq. Furthermore, the so-called Iraqi National Assembly has called for renewed aggression against Kuwait in a flagrant violation and disregard of the cease-fire UNSCR 687 and UNSCR 833. . . In his Army Day speech on January 5, Saddam delivered an unusual barrage of incitements against Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. He called for the violent overthrow of these governments, a call that was interpreted by regional capitals as a new phase of Iraqi-sponsored terrorism. . . "Even before the start of Operation Desert Fox, Saddam divided Iraq into four regions to safeguard against any possible popular uprising against his rule. He revealed his mistrust of his professional military commanders by appointing members of his immediate family and clan to act as military rulers of these regions. In addition, reliable sources point to the fact that most of the professional military units in these regions were denied adequate supply of ammunition and logistic support so as to prevent these units from moving against the regime." Indeed, that would seem to suggest why the Iraq Liberation Act would work. If such military units had a place to defect to and were armed by the US and its allies, they would turn against the regime. Al-Sabah also noted the extreme rancor between Baghdad and several Arab states, "President Mubarak said 'the ruling regime in Baghdad is the cause of all problems' and Foreign Minister Amr Moussa literally called for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Crown Prince Hassan did not improve his standing with the Iraqi leader when he refused to denounce Operation Desert Fox. Instead he called for greater democracy and human rights for the Iraqi people. Even the usually low-keyed Saudi diplomacy took the gloves off and called publicly for Saddam's removal from office." Regarding the acrimonious, Jan 24 Arab Foreign Minister's meeting [see "Iraq News," Jan 25], Al Hayah, Jan 26, provided some detail. "Arab sources that participated in the meeting revealed . . . that a confrontation took place between Saud al-Faysal [Saudi Foreign Minister] and Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Said al-Sahhaf during the closed session--namely when the latter began to list the reasons that caused [Iraq] to enter Kuwait and the circumstances surrounding what happened at the Arab level after that. The Saudi minister interrupted by saying: 'During a visit to Saudi Arabia Izzat Ibrahim [al Duri, deputy chairman of the Revolution Command Council] justified the aggression on and occupation of Kuwait by saying that war is a trick, so how can one trust a regime that adopts such a justification.' . . . When al-Sahhaf entered the closed session, while the statement was being read, he surprised everyone when he shouted, "The atmosphere is still poisoned . . . the al-Ghardaqah group [Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman] and the Gulf Cooperation Council states have yielded to the pressure exerted on them. Iraq will not accept that a solution be imposed on it . . . You have destroyed the glimmer of hope and are implementing the game . . . to separate the people from the government and continue the conspiracies being hatched against us.' The foreign ministers of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco tried to calm al-Sahhaf down and persuade him to continue the session, but they failed. . . . The session's head, Syrian Foreign Minister, Faruq al-Shar'a, murmured: 'No matter what we did, he was not prepared to continue.'" On Jan 26, the day after the US attack on Basra, when an errant missile killed a number of Iraqi civilians, Iraq radio broadcast a message from Saddam to the people of Basra. Saddam's statement suggested the disturbing way in which Saddam views himself; the Iraqi population; and his enemies, like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Saddam said, "O brave men and women, sweet children, and young men and women, who aspire for a great future and who are strongly holding on to a present which you willingly accepted." Of course, that is not true. The population of Basra was among the first to revolt in Mar, '91, but that is what Saddam tells himself and, on some level, believes, even as Amb. Al Sabah explained that before last month's air strikes Saddam took specific measures to guard himself against a popular revolt. Referring, apparently, to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Saddam said, "As for those people with a dead conscience and who bear the Arab nationality, the nation said and will say its opinion on their mean act, as well as their masters. They, however, will hear no other voice except that of the devil, after having deafened their ears and closed their minds to the voice of justice, the voice of God the merciful, the voice of righteousness, and glory. Had you called a living person, your call would have obtained response, but what you are calling is a dead person." Thus, Saddam, in his mind, represents absolute good, Saudi Arabia/Kuwait, absolute evil. In fact, Saudi Arabia/Kuwait lack such basic human qualities that they are, for all practical purposes, dead. Among the implications--what is one not justified in doing to such people? Finally, Saddam said of those who died in the US strike, "Your blood will not be shed in vain. Your blood will light torches, grow aromatic plants, and water the tree of freedom, resistance, and victory." On Jan 27, the Iraqi Nat'l Assembly concluded a two day extraordinary session. As INA reported, "The assembly authorized leader President Saddam Husayn, the Revolution Command Council and the Council of Ministers-each according to their constitutional authorities-to take measures they deem appropriate to implement the decisions and recommendations adopted by the assembly. The assembly stressed it will continue meetings within the current extraordinary session to discuss the issue of the embargo and US-British-Saudi-Kuwait aggression against Iraq. The assembly members called on the Arab regimes to immediately lift the embargo imposed on Iraq and condemn the oppressive US-British aggression and the no-fly zones imposed by America and Britain in violation of the international law and the UN charter. The assembly affirms Iraq's demand to be fully compensated in accordance with the international law for all the material damage and human losses inflicted on it since 1991." I. AMB. MOHAMMAD AL SABAH, REMARKS Remarks by HE Mohammed S. Al-Sabah, Ph. D. Ambassador of the State of Kuwait Meeting of the Washington Roundtable, Center for Strategic & International Studies Washington, DC, January 13, 1999 Even though there has been a great deal of debate here and elsewhere about the political motivations, timing and the effectiveness of Operation Desert Fox, I think the problem we are facing transcends these myopic considerations and impose on us the critical challenge; that is, Iraq under Saddam Hussein represents in a microcosm the fundamental problems the US, and indeed the world, will be facing in the new century. 1. We have the problem of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and Iraq is a text book example 2. We have a regime with tremendous propensity for aggression and utter disregard for international law 3. We have a regime with a proven track record of state-sponsored terrorism 4. And, finally, we have a regime with a brutal disrespect and contempt for human rights and human dignity. In short, we have a regime that represents a clear and present danger to its people, its neighbors and to international peace and security. How we deal with this regime NOW will have a profound impact on the nature of the world that we will be living in in the next century. What have we learned from "Desert Fox?" 1. Desert Fox has revealed the true nature of the Iraqi regime, a regime that cannot be trusted to keep its word, commitments, and obligations. Last week, Iraq reneged on its obligations that ended the Gulf war when Tariq Aziz reiterated his bankrupt assertions that Kuwait is part of Iraq. Furthermore, the so-called Iraqi National Assembly has called for renewed aggression against Kuwait in a flagrant violation and disregard of the cease-fire UNSCR 687 and UNSCR 833. 2 Desert Fox has also revealed the evil intentions of this regime against the moderate Arab countries. In his Army Day speech on January 5, Saddam delivered an unusual barrage of incitements against Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. He called for the violent overthrow of these governments, a call that was interpreted by regional capitals as a new phase of Iraqi-sponsored terrorism, while his Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz directed his verbal abuse against the Secretary General of the Arab League, the French President, and even against their Russian ally. 3. The targets that were chosen by Operation Desert Fox have sent thundering multiple messages to the principal actors in this Iraqi saga. Some of these targets were Republican Guards barracks in Takrit, Abu Guraib and Al-Kut, the command centers of the Special Republican Guards and "Mukhabaraat" (Intelligence apparatus) in Baghdad, six presidential palaces, and, interestingly, the rice silo in Takrit only, while the regular army and other civilian institutions were spared from this campaign. I think the most significant accomplishment of Operation Desert Fox was in its impact on the psyche of the Iraqi people. It is clear now that the people and the regular army are in one camp, while the regime and its Republican Guard and security apparatus are in the other. And according to a reliable Iraqi source, the emerging of this psychological dichotomy represents the most dangerous outcome of this operation against the regime. 4. Operation Desert Fox uncovered the state of paranoia that this regime suffers from. Even before the start of Operation Desert Fox, Saddam divided Iraq into four regions to safeguard against any possible popular uprising against his rule. He revealed his mistrust of his professional military commanders by appointing members of his immediate family and clan to act as military rulers of these regions. In addition, reliable sources point to the fact that most of the professional military units in these regions were denied adequate supply of ammunition and logistic support so as to prevent these units from moving against the regime. 5. And finally, Operation Desert Fox has re-focused the Arabs' attention on the plight of the Iraqi people, but more importantly on the one who bears responsibility for their misery. President Hosni Mubarak said "the ruling regime in Baghdad is the cause of all problems" and Foreign Minister Amr Moussa literally called for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Crown Prince Hassan did not improve his standing with the Iraqi leader when he refused to denounce Operation Desert Fox. Instead he called for greater democracy and human rights for the Iraqi people. Even the usually low-keyed Saudi diplomacy took the gloves off and called publicly for Saddam's removal from office. These developments, along with the prospect of a new Israeli government committed to the peace process, would hopefully fix the last nail in Saddam's coffin. II. ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING London Al-Hayah in Arabic 26 Jan 99 p 4 [Report by Ihsan Bakr: "Story of al-Sahhaf's Withdrawal From Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting; Saud al-Faysal Rejects Baghdad's Accusations, 'Abd-al-Majid Urges It To Apologize"] [FBIS Translated Excerpt] Cairo -- Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal has rejected Iraq's accusation that his country and other states caused the Arab foreign ministers meeting to fail. He told Al-Hayah that the resolutions adopted by the ministers are in Iraq's interests. While Arab League Secretary General Dr. 'Ismat 'Abd-al-Majid insisted that Iraq should apologize for its invasion of Kuwait, saying that that is the only way toward reconciliation and stressing that the resolutions are in Iraq's interests. Sa'ud al-Faysal expressed his surprise at the way in which Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf stormed out of the final session of the ministerial meeting the day before yesterday. He said: "We focused on the Iraqi people's interests and suffering," and what the [Ministerial] Council achieved is a success by any standard. Arab sources that participated in the meeting revealed to Al-Hayah that a confrontation took place between Sa'ud al-Faysal and Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf during the closed session, namely when the latter began to list the reasons that caused [Iraq] to enter Kuwait and the circumstances surrounding what happened at the Arab level after that. The Saudi minister interrupted by saying: "During a visit to Saudi Arabia 'Izzat Ibrahim [al-Duri, deputy chairman of the Revolution Command Council] justified the aggression on and occupation of Kuwait by saying that war is a trick, so how one can trust a regime that adopts such a justification." Al-Sahhaf tried to deny that, pointing out that all the documents are in his possession and do not contain such a statement. When al-Sahhaf entered the closed session, while the statement was being read, he surprised everyone when he shouted, "the atmosphere is still poisoned... the al-Ghardaqah group [Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman] and the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] states have yielded to the pressure exerted on them... Iraq will not accept that a solution be imposed on it... it does not know devious ways." Addressing the ministers, he went on to say: "You have destroyed the glimmer of hope and are implementing the game... to separate the people from the government and continue the conspiracies being hatched against us." The foreign ministers of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco tried to calm al-Sahhaf down and persuade him to continue the session, but they failed, as the Iraqi minister insisted on withdrawing and leaving for the hotel, where he held a news conference in which he attacked the participants, sparing none of them. The session's head, Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shar', murmured: "No matter what we did, he was not prepared to continue." The session was resumed after Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaykh Sabah al-Ahmad had requested that the Iraqi minister's "obscenities" be deleted from the minutes of the meeting. Sa'ud al-Faysal stressed that pulling out of the meeting would not solve any problem, and if every state adopted such a method, everyone would pull out of the meeting. Then the foreign ministers engaged in an argument over Paragraph 3 of the communique, which stipulated that Iraq should offer an apology. It was agreed to delete this point and stipulate, instead, that the Iraqis should not pursue any policy aimed at provoking its neighbors. During the debates the ministers were briefed on al-Sahhaf's criticisms. One of them said: They [the Iraqis] criticized everyone; they even attacked the Egyptian people through Puzzles, a program televised during Ramadan. As for PLO Political Department Head Faruq Qaddumi, he expressed his regret for al-Sahhaf's withdrawal, saying: "We need to vigorously move toward Iraq, because its absence from the scene adversely affects the Arab's strength and the peace process... the statement could have been modified." The GCC ministers replied by saying: "Al-Sahhaf came to thwart the meeting." Yusuf Bin-'Alawi, Omani minister of state for foreign affairs, said that the content of the al-Ghardaqah group's working paper represented the minimum acceptable to the Gulf states. The meeting concluded and the ministers left the Arab League building, but the security measures made it difficult for them to talk to reporters. [passage omitted citing Arab League chief and Egyptian foreign minister expressing regret for al-Sahhaf's pullout] III. SADDAM'S ADDRESS TO PEOPLE OF BASRA Baghdad Republic of Iraq Radio Network in Arabic 1032 GMT 26 Jan 99 ["Text" of message by Iraqi President Saddam Husayn to the people of al-Basrah Governorate on 26 January -- read by announcer] [FBIS Translated Text] In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate. O great people in the steadfast and mujahid al-Basrah Governorate; o families hit by the missiles and bombs of the criminal aggression: Peace be upon you. Peace be on al-Basrah as a history, a glorious present, and a splendid symbol of steadfastness and victory against the infidel tyrant and his followers in vice and evil. O brave men and women, sweet children, and young men and women, who aspire for a great future and who are strongly holding on to a present which you willingly accepted with fortitude, patience, and continuous resistance of what was imposed on you: The firm stand of jihad is the destiny of the people undertaking it and the harm inflicted and continues to be inflicted on you in the glorious al-Qadisiyah [war with Iran] and the immortal Mother of Battles, along with their meanings and your stands as well as the stands of your great Iraqi people, only befit your historical city and its positions in serving Islam and Arabism. When the faithful Arabs in the city of al-Basrah first established it, they did not only want it to be a port overlooking the Gulf from an impregnable location, but also chose the location for a people capable of playing this role in the service of the great principles. The people of al-Basrah remained faithful to these principles throughout all events and circumstances. Its people fought bravely to defend it, thus setting a good example of these principles to be emulated in facing all the evil attacks both in the past and present. Therefore, the honorable stand, which is adopted by the people of al-Basrah, as well as by all Iraqis in their cities, neighborhoods, and villages, has become a problem for occupiers, coveters, and invaders. Therefore, they give vent to their failure by acting against the distinguished, remarkable, and lofty ones. What was inflicted on your prosperous city, thanks to the determination and morale of its people and your people --the zealous men and women of Iraq -- befitted the great meanings of al-Qadisiyah and the Mother of Battles. O kinfolk and beloved ones: Be patient. Victory will be achieved through patience. As for those people with a dead conscience and who bear the Arab nationality, the nation said and will say its opinion on their mean act, as well as the act of their masters. They, however, will hear no other voice except that of the devil after having deafened their ears and closed their minds to the voice of justice, the voice of God the merciful, the voice of righteousness, and glory. Had you called a living person, your call would have obtained response, but what you are calling is a dead person. Your blood will not be shed in vain. Your blood will light torches, grow aromatic plants, and water the tree of freedom, resistance, and victory. God is great. Heaven is the abode of our righteous martyrs. God is great. Glory to the people of al-Basrah and to great Iraq. Long live our glorious nation. Let the lowly be accursed. [Signed] Saddam Husayn [Dated] 26 January 1999 IV. NAT'L ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES SESSION Baghdad INA in Arabic 1115 GMT 27 Jan 99 27 Jan (INA)-- The people's representatives at the National Assembly reiterated their adherence to the great leadership of President Saddam Husayn and hailed his courageous struggle in confronting the savage imperialist US-Zionist attack against Iraq. At the end of its extraordinary session, which was chaired by its speaker Sa'dun Hammadi, the assembly authorized leader President Saddam Husayn, the Revolution Command Council, and the Council of Ministers -- each according to their constitutional authorities -- to take measures they deem appropriate to implement the decisions and recommendations adopted by the assembly. The assembly stressed it will continue meetings within the current extraordinary session to discuss the issue of the embargo and US-British-Saudi-Kuwaiti aggression against Iraq. The assembly members called on the Arab regimes to immediately lift the embargo imposed on Iraq and condemn the oppressive US-British aggression and the no-fly zones imposed by America and Britain in violation of the international law and the UN Charter. The assembly affirms Iraq's demand to be fully compensated in accordance with the international law for all the material damage and human losses inflicted on it since 1991, and that the Iraqi leadership should begin taking legal measures in this regard. The National Assembly held America, Britain, and the rulers of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait -- who provided facilities to America and Britain --complete legal responsibility for the blatant aggression. The Assembly added that this aggression inflicted more human and material losses on the people of Iraq. The members of the National Assembly called on the Arab parliaments to implement the resolutions of the emergency session of the Arab Parliamentary Union, which was held in Amman recently. They also called on the Arab parliaments to pressure their governments to assume their pan-Arab responsibilities vis-a-vis Iraq and its people, who are suffering from the ugliest blockade in history. The National Assembly said that the agent regimes, which are involved in plotting against Iraq, directly and indirectly assisted in the aggression, which aims at prolonging the unjust blockade. The Assembly said that the Saudi and Kuwaiti regimes, in particular, are participating in the implementation of a colonialist scheme against the entire Arab nation. The National Assembly called on the struggling Arab masses, which stood in the face of the aggression against Iraq, to revolt against the agent regimes, which have become a tool to dismember the Arab ranks and a center for plotting against Arab resources. The members of the National Assembly denounced the recent criminal aggression, which was committed by America and Britain against the city of al-Basrah and which resulted in the martyrdom of a large number of citizens and the destruction of their property. The National Assembly reiterated that they will stand firmly in the face of the aggressive stands and the conspiratorial schemes against Iraq's people, sovereignty, and territorial integrity regardless of their sources. [Description of source: Official News Agency of the Iraqi Government]
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