Iraq News by Laurie Mylroie
The 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. SAUDI/KUWAITI ROLE IN US AIRSTRIKES, INA, FEB 21
IV. RAMADAN INTERVIEW, IRAQ SPACE TV, FEB 15
III. SAUDI/KUWAITI ROLE IN US AIRSTRIKES
Baghdad INA in Arabic 1700 GMT 21 Feb 99
[FBIS Translated Text] Baghdad, 21 Feb (INA)-In another desperate
attempt in the series of attacks against Iraq to encroach on the
steadfastness of the Iraqi people, the murderous ravens once again
violated the sanctity of our national airspace today.
Enemy formations, flying from the Saudi and Kuwaiti territory and
airspace, violated our airspace in the southern area. They conducted 42
sorties over al-Basrah, Maysan, al-Muthanna, and Dhi Qar governorates.
A spokesman for the Air Defense Command said that our national
airspace was violated at 0945 today by 15 enemy formations flying from
Saudi airspace. The formations, which included F-14, F-15, and F-18
planes, were supported by two AWACS and A-2C planes flying inside the
Saudi airspace. The formations conducted 24 sorties from the Kuwaiti
airspace and 18 sorties from the Saudi airspace.
The spokesman said the ravens flew over al-Basrah, Maysan,
al-Muthanna, and Dhi Qar governorates.
The spokesman added that the Iraqi air defenses confronted these
enemy formations. Signs indicate that one enemy plane was hit by our
ground air defense artillery.
The spokesman concluded by saying: Our valiant air defenses forced
these dark ravens to leave our national airspace in shame and
disappointment to the bases of evil and aggression in Kuwait and Saudi
Arabia at 1100.
The murderous criminals have once again dispatched other formations
of their ravens, violating the sanctity of our national airspace and
coming from Saudi and Kuwaiti airspace at 1605 today.
A spokesman for the Air Defense Command today said that five enemy
formations, including F-14 and F-16 planes, supported by AWACS and A-2C
planes, carried out 16 air sorties, coming from Saudi airspace, and four
sorties from the Kuwaiti airspace. This brings the number of air sorties
that were carried out against our positions in the Dhi Qar, al-Muthanna,
Maysan, and al-Basrah governorates today to 62.
The spokesman added that the valiant Iraqi air defenses confronted
the ravens, which attacked our positions and injured a number of
citizens, and forced them to flee to their bases in Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait at 1715 today.
IV. RAMADAN INTERVIEW
Baghdad Iraq Satellite Channel Television in Arabic 1800 GMT 15 Feb 99
[Interview with Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan; by Anwar
al-Hamadani; from "A Very Frank Dialogue" program; in Baghdad on 15
Feb--recorded]
[FBIS Translated Text] [Al-Hamadani] Your Excellency the vice president,
this stage witnessed a US-British escalation in the form of sorties that
aimed at violating the Iraqi airspace and the Iraqi sovereignty
in the north and the south. How does Iraq view this US-British
escalation?
[Ramadan] It is fact that there is a serious confrontation by Iraq and
there is an air defense resistance. In fact, this confrontation has been
declared and tackled by the media. We notice that there is an
escalation, but we think that in previous stages the violation and the
intensity of the violation in some days was high [words indistinct].
However, in all cases, if we consider this as a relative escalation,
it has a clear objective. The objective of the United States and Britain
is to say that they insist on continuing this aggression, and at the
same time to insult the whole international community, headed by the UN
Security Council [UNSC]. The UNSC is concerned with the security and
sovereignty of all world countries, including Iraq, which is a member of
the international organization. The international community says that
this is an aggression and their behavior is illegal. However, the United
States and Britain are doing so and are expanding the scope of this
confrontation. This is a disdain of the UNSC in the first place because
the Security Council should say that this behavior is illegal, and that
the continuation of the aggression that has taken place is a violation
of the charter and all that has to do with the international
resolutions.
[Al-Hamadani] Your Excellency the vice president: This intensification
of the US-British sorties in the Iraqi airspace in the north and the
south, which you described as provocative and a violation of the UNSC's
authority, is it different from the aggression that took place against
Iraq late last year?
[Ramadan] Not at all. We consider that the aggression against Iraq began
in 1991 and is continuing in various forms, including the direct
military action, or the economic action, which ultimately seeks to kill
citizens in term of their food, medicines, illness, security, and
stability. But, when this aggression escalates in all its military and
economic forms, one will certainly view it in a different way.
Therefore, we consider the continuation of this aggression in its
military and its other forms since 16/17 December [?1998] and until now
a continuation of the aggression since its beginning. We think that due
to inability of the UNSC to play its role, especially since those who
are carrying out this aggression and who are violating all charters are
UNSC permanent members. This has clearly paralyzed the UNSC. This calls
on the victims of the aggression and the Arabs to look for any means to
defend their sovereignty and dignity because it is very clear that the
UNSC position is that of a bystander, even if we hear some shouting in
some sessions. These shouts are not taken seriously, because no attempt
is made to reach a formula, or achieve results. The evidence on this is
that the airspace violation or the aggression that is taking place from
the Iraqi airspace, in addition to the missile-attacks and the bombing
of the villages and residential areas are continuing in an ugly and
awful manner. However, the UNSC did not say anything.
[Al-Hamadani] We also notice that the US and British sorties are now
targeting civilian sites and that many Iraqis are being killed by these
sorties. What is the US objective in targeting civilians?
[Ramadan] I have just said that the continued aggression as a whole is
an undermining of the world community and international public opinion
as well as the Arab masses who have condemned this aggression.
The United States is not dominating the world by its values, ethics,
traditions, respect for human rights, and all the other slogans it
repeats; rather, it is throwing all these values down the drain and
mobilizing military force and economic force to play with people's
destinies. It has created terror and made it known that Iraq's demands
and rights are not acceptable. It has even influenced the UNSC members,
or else, how can we explain the fact that once again the UNSC forms
committees and that these committees will start to evaluate matters.
Everyone knows how many UNSC members have said that the disarmament
issue in Iraq is over, not only according to Iraq, and not only
according to the vast majority in the world, but even according to the
claims of the US and British aggressors that they have destroyed all the
establishments that were left. Even the sites that were inspected and
ruled harmless were destroyed, including the sites with cameras mounted
in them. So, what is the purpose of forming evaluation committees that
have elements who were the basis of the espionage operations, tardiness,
and bad reports in the UN Special Commission [UNSCOM]? The purpose can
be no other than submission to the United States' desires and due to the
fact that they cannot admit the truth.
We thus say that the time has come to confront all of these matters
with everything we have. We believe that the human being is the biggest
capability of all, in addition to people's faith and belief that they
must do their best to achieve independence and reject slavery. Having
capabilities does not necessarily have to correspond to the classical
concept of having technical capabilities like the United States. Some
rulers justify their submission to the United States by not having
capabilities like the United States. We believe that all peoples are
independent, and reject any aggression or domination by any country,
regardless of its capabilities.
[Al-Hamadani] What is the approach that Iraq feels will best confront
these intensive US-British sorties in northern and southern Iraq?
[Ramadan] We are confronting these attacks with our available technical
resources. We will not stop, because we must confront this aggression.
No one can deprive any country of its right to defend itself and
its sovereignty, which applies to its airspace, land, and territorial
waters. The fact remains that this aggression is being launched from
dens in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Turkey.
[Al-Hamadani] How does Iraq view the three committees formed by the
UNSC, especially since some UNSC and international sources said that
Iraq's cooperation with these committees will lead to lifting the siege
off it, taking into consideration that UNSCOM Director Richard Butler
was not included in this formation?
[Ramadan] This is not true. For over eight years, Iraq cooperated with
one committee after the other, and nothing happened. We must deal with
something tangible and practical and not succumb to the desire of one or
two countries in the UN Security Council. Every country must be true to
itself and say the truth, even if the United States and Britain reject
it. These countries know very well that there is nothing tied to
the weapons of mass destruction, there is nothing related to paragraph
C. Therefore, the UNSC is not required to form committees; it is
required to unconditionally lift the siege. This is Iraq's right
according to Resolution 687. Fulfilling paragraph C means
unconditionally lifting the siege.
A blatant aggression was committed against Iraq with the admission of
the entire world be they officials or nonofficials. This aggression has
inflicted losses on citizens, damaged properties, and harmed the basic
pillars of the economic infrastructure, and has harmed everything. The
aggressors must assume this responsibility and must compensate for all
the damages in a clear manner as the UN Security Council had previously
decided to have Iraq assume responsibility for the damages it caused.
They are implementing this by force. If the UN Security Council plays
its role in accordance with its resolution by first lifting the embargo
and second by condemning the aggression and holding the aggressors
responsible for this aggression, then Iraq will be ready to show every
transparency in the dialogue and reach a formula for future cooperation.
As we have said, any resolution that is passed without taking Iraq's
opinion or consulting it will be rejected and cannot be dealt with.
[Al-Hamadani] Mr. Vice President, does this mean that Iraq will not
participate in the dialogue for the formation of these committees. This
is one thing. The other thing is would you inform the Arab citizen of
the dimension of the formation of these committees?
[Ramadan] Not only was Iraq's opinion not taken. We know that the UN
Security Council resorted to this formula to extricate itself from its
dilemma. The United States and Britain, which hold sway in the United
Nations, do not accept any cooperation within the framework of the
implementation of the resolutions. They want new resolutions and a new
formula according to what they want. They explicitly state that their
basic objective is not these resolutions, resolution 687 and others.
Their basic objective is to openly and directly conspire, and carry out
tours and contacts with many countries to arrange what they call as the
scenario of the conspiracy against the regime in Iraq. Since permanent
members of the UN Security Council adopt this conspiratorial mission,
how can we imagine that the UN Security council can pass a fair,
genuine, and practical resolution that would ultimately lead to the
lifting of the embargo and remove all the sanctions?
This is not right and no one thinks about this.
Therefore, it is just a formula to find a way out just to say that
the UN Security Council is there. They form committees that carry out
their assessment. On the basis of the results of these committees and if
Iraq cooperates, then the embargo will be lifted. Does this mean that
Iraq has not been cooperating with UNSCOM over the past 8 years and the
inspection committees? Iraq cooperated and much was destroyed and it was
decided that all the weapons of mass destruction no longer exist. Then
why these committees?
The issue of lifting the blockade has now become the duty of the
council. Iraq has fulfilled all its obligations throughout the past
eight years, which are illogical and exaggerated, and tolerated UNSCOM,
so as the blockade be lifted. When the blockade is not lifted, we cannot
[word indistinct] with any formula at all.
[Al-Hamadani] Yesterday, 14 February, at a meeting chaired by President
Saddam Husayn, a statement was issued warning each of Kuwait and Saudi
Arabia against continuing the aggression against Iraq by allowing the US
and British aircraft to use their territory against Iraq. Can you give
an idea to the Arab citizen about this issue?
[Ramadan] We should read this statement carefully, not the way it was
circulated by some news agencies. The statement was not a long one. In
essence, the statement addresses Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in a
fraternal way. Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabia actually participate in the
aggression against Iraq and in violating our airspace. They participate
directly. We know that the aircraft take off from their territory, and
we also know the bases from which they take off.
We also know that they pay the cost of this violation and this
aggression, including the 16-17 [December 1998] aggression and after
that. Despite this the statement tells them if you have a will, then
allowing these aircraft to take off and these missiles to be launched
from your territory constitutes a war against Iraq, an aggression
against Iraq. If you do not understand that this is an aggression, no,
it is an aggression and further killing, expulsion, and destruction of
Iraq. This has its known results. I am not even speaking about Arab
charters or inter-Arab relations. The statement tells them that you
should stop this, but if you are powerless and the presence of the
Americans and the British on your territory is against your will, then
Iraq will play its role in defending its people and property, and it can
inflict immense damage on these dens in this region and in every region.
Iraq cannot continue to stand idly by doing nothing. The UN Security
Council is doing nothing to stop the aggression. Regrettably, two Arab
states are hosting the means of this aggression. So, we tell them if
this is against your will, then we tell you that we will work to
confront the enemy so as it will not be said that Iraq threatens the
neighboring states, as the [Arab] foreign ministers' meeting [in Cairo]
said.
Regrettably, the aggression is being launched daily against Iraq.
Conspirators meet in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait-- Americans, British, and
small agents -- to speak about Iraq's future and fate. Ignominy to them.
They consider this as a natural thing, but for Iraq to say that we will
defend ourselves and will try to harm the aggressor, then it is said
that Iraq threatens its neighbors. This is at a time when the message is
very clear. It tells them that what is taking off from your territory is
a war.
You are launching a war against Iraq. Do you intend this? If you do
not intend this and if their presence is against your will and you
cannot prevent them, then Iraq tells you that it will play its role in
defending its people and nation and harm these enemies. We know that the
Americans and the British cannot stop their tyranny and hegemony unless
we manage to harm them.
[Al-Hamadani] Mr. Vice President, do we understand from this Iraqi
message that it is within the Arab framework, and that this is why it
contained no reference to Turkey from which the US aircraft take off to
strike northern Iraq?
[Ramadan] In this message, we addressed our brothers. I believe that
this distinction should be made. Turkey is not a fraternal Arab country.
Turkey is a member of the US-led NATO. Turkey has an alliance agreement
with the Zionist enemy. Nevertheless, Iraq refrained from mentioning the
fact that the aircraft take off from the Turkish territory in the
statements condemning the aggression and memorandums of protest.
Practically and logically, what applies to the dens of evil in Kuwait
and Saudi Arabia applies to the dens of evil in Turkey and on any place
from which evil is waged against Iraq. However, in this message we
addressed Arab brethren and said that what is going on is an aggression
and war on Iraq. Do you mean to wage war on Iraq and the people of Iraq?
If you do not mean to do so and if what is going on is against your will
then we will carry out our role.
We urge the Arab masses to understand this and do their part through
the available means. Therefore, there should be no confusion and no one
should understand that the aggression, which comes from Turkey is
permissible while the aggression that is waged from Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, or any other Arab country is impermissible. This distinction is
based on a fraternal concept and the fact that we are part of a nation,
which encompasses Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Therefore, we want to enlighten them. We say to them: Have you
decided to wage a war against Iraq and the people of Iraq and kill more
old people, children, and women? For, what is going on is a war. If you
are not waging this aggression and what is taking place is against your
will, then you should know that we will play our role in terms of
defending our people and the cities, God willing.
[Al-Hamadani] What is Iraq's response to statements by some Western
press circles that Iraq is threatening the security of Kuwait and Saudi
Arabia through this statement?
[Ramadan] Absolutely, no. These are lies and mere allegations the like
of which were made over the past years. They are not true in this. I am
confident that each Arab citizen, including the Kuwaiti and Saudi
citizens, know that threats come not from Iraq, but rather from the
Zionist entity, presence of foreign troops, and hegemony on the Arab
region. The statement was very clear. We said to them that what is going
is an aggression and war. We said that if this is against your will and
if you do not mean to do this, then we will confront these bases,
although they are on their territory. The national and pan-Arab duty
behooves them to confront these bases and prevent the waging of
aggression from there. It is a disgraceful thing for each Arab country,
which willingly agrees to harbor the dens of aggression from which the
planes take off and missiles are launched to strike the Iraqi people.
[Al-Hamadani] Mr. Vice President, who follows up political developments
can observe that the US-British escalation in terms of increasing air
sorties in northern and southern Iraq has started after the end of Cairo
summit. Does this mean that Cairo summit and the Arab foreign ministers'
meeting in Cairo paved the way for this escalation? And does this summit
still cast is shadow on current events?
[Ramadan] Regrettably, the so-called consultative meeting of the Arab
foreign ministers was tailored in a certain way. Things should not have
gone this way. As is known, the Yemeni president had called an
emergency Arab summit to discuss the question of Iraq and the 16-17
[December] aggression in particular.
However, there was much procrastination regarding this summit, and it
was said that such a summit needs study and preparation. We believe that
such claims are false, because this procedure was not implemented in
certain cases. The summit was reduced to mini-summits and discussions on
Iraq without the participation of Iraq. Finally, the meeting, which was
termed consultative, was held. This meeting contradicted the Arab
League's charter and modus operandi. This meeting discussed a paper that
was prepared in al-Ghardaqah meeting, which brought together Hafar
al-Batin countries or Damascus Declaration member states, which
gave the green light to the 16-17 December aggression.
The same statement was issued [at the Arab foreign ministers'
meeting] although some paragraphs were added thanks to the efforts of
some good Arab countries.
The statement was very clear; it was void of anything called
aggression or a condemnation of this aggression, as well as free of any
mention of airspace violations. In other words, it was void of anything
that would harm the United States and Britain.
Therefore, it was only natural for the United States and Britain to
announce their satisfaction with the statement. This gives the forces of
evil more enthusiasm to step up their evil doings, as long as the Arab
rulers are silent and accept this.
[Al-Hamadani] In a previous interview with the Iraqi Satellite Channel,
and after the end of the Arab foreign ministers consultation meeting,
your excellency said that Iraq does not believe that what took place in
Cairo would be an obstacle in the way of honest inter-Arab dialogue if
the Arab brethren decided to take up such a dialogue. Can you tell us
more about what happened following that summit?
[Ramadan] There is a principled stand on the one hand, and there is the
situation on the ground on the other. As for the principled stand, we
will continue to be part of this situation. Dialogue is the only way to
go despite differences. From the practical point of view, we know that
despite the statement issued by the Arab foreign ministers' consultation
meeting, there was no unanimous agreement over this statement, and that
there are many Arab countries that do not agree with the stand made, and
amended it as much as they could, because the statement contradicted the
statements made by their presidents and governments, condemning the
aggression and calling for lifting the siege.
These countries are known to us, and Iraq --represented by the foreign
minister-- is currently conducting a tour of these countries, which
include the Arab Maghreb countries, Sudan, and Yemen, among others.
During these visits we will discuss issues that are of relevance to our
bilateral ties and the Iraqi cause. The door is even open to the
countries who had a negative stand in the meeting to hold talks about
everything that would serve the interests of the Arab nation. I think
that this is the best approach.
By the way, today I heard a Kuwait journalist being asked by the media
why Iraq is conducting talks with Turkey and not with..[sentence
incomplete as heard].
This was a strange question. Have Kuwait or Saudi Arabia invited Iraq
to join a dialogue with them? Did they issue an invitation to an Iraqi
official and had Iraq turn them down? Iraq has been using all means --
direct and indirect ones -- for over eight years to hold talks away from
foreign intervention, and they have refused. We know that they are
refusing upon the orders of the United States and Britain. Tariq 'Aziz's
visit to Turkey was upon the official invitation of the [Turkish] prime
minister. This invitation was made when he was deputy prime minister and
Iraq had delayed replying to this invitation. Turkey once again sent
this invitation after the prime minister assumed his current post, and
the leadership decided to reply to the invitation. Is this stand
considered a distinctive one, or is it one that puts Arab leaders who
refuse to enter into a dialogue in a position no one envies.
[Al-Hamadani] Mr. Vice President, this was on the official level. Now,
let us speak on the Arab popular level. The Iraqi command is accused of
suffering from the love of the Arab masses. Can we explain the facts to
the Arab viewer in light of the media confusion on the Iraqi stand?
[Ramadan] I would like to explicitly and clearly speak about this issue,
which will be the last topic I will discuss in this interview. First of
all, Iraq's 14 February statement does not mean, as some say, that Iraq
is so disturbed that it wants to commit suicide because what can Iraq do
against these bases or US interests wherever they may be? I would like
to tell these people that Iraq's statement is an expression of
strength, faith, and high confidence that the continuation of the daily
aggression on Iraq, Iraq's confrontation of this aggression, and its
courageous defense of its homeland is taking place without paying
attention as to whether these means can stand up technically to those
the enemy has or not. This is so because defending one's sovereignty and
land has nothing to do with the availability of means that can
compare to those the aggressors have. What is needed here is faith, high
confidence in the future, and complete readiness for sacrifice. All the
people who won their liberation, including the Arab people, and
when they expelled the foreigner from their land did not have technical
and technological means or resources that the colonialists had,
including the Americans and the British. In spite of this, these
nations, whether the Arab or non Arab nations, managed to liberate
themselves. Why then one doubts the ability of the Iraqi people who are
part of the Arab people from the Ocean to the Gulf? This is the same
people who expelled the aggressors at one time and can expel them once
again and greatly harm them. We can say that one of the reasons as to
why the Arab citizens potential was paralyzed at one time is that the
picture was not clear and because the western media and the so-called
ideologues in the Arab arena, the petty agents managed to confuse the
Arab citizen, in addition to other circumstances, and the role played by
some governments and security organs, which carried out the wishes of
the CIA and the US Administration. This is very clear. I say that in
spite of all this, the Arab citizen now has a very clear picture and the
designs of the US, British, and Zionist aggressors are now clear. Why do
they target Iraq? They target the nation through Iraq, its resources,
and its resurgence. Why some traitor rulers have become tools, which
implement the designs of the aggression? They defend themselves because
they are in positions of responsibility they are worthy of. Iraq and its
leadership will remain lofty and Iraq and its leadership have become a
model to be copied by every honest Arab citizen. What is new is that
their course and stands are being exposed because Iraq stands alone
confronting this super power as they call it. What will be the situation
if the nation cooperates and unites? The nation has big resources. In
its statement, Iraq does not proceed from a weak position.
It proceeds from the premise of its confidence that the sons of the
Arab nation and not only the Iraqi people are mature and know who is
their enemy and who is their friend, and that they are ready to offer
sacrifices and have confidence in the future.
Therefore, this will enable them to carry out their role in defending
their nation, while Iraq remains in the forward trenches, and harming
the enemy's resources. I tell the Arab citizens, the organizations, and
the parties and to all the good people that the US and Zionist enemy
will give up its hegemony, control, and its military presence only if it
is harmed. Any dialogue or other means will not make these go back to
the sound path.
[Al-Hamadani] Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan, thank you very much for
this frank interview.
[Description of source: Government-owned television station]
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