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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 .

February 25, 1999
Dr. Ahmad Chalabi
President of the Executive Council
Iraqi National Congress
124 128 Barlby Road
London W10 6BL, United Kingdom
Dear Dr. Chalabi:
   I was delighted to learn of your announcement earlier this week that 
you will convene a plenary session of the Iraqi National Congress (INC) 
National Assembly at the end of April in Washington.
   I and the other original sponsors of the Iraq Liberation Act warmly 
welcome this announcement as a very constructive step.  In order to 
realize the objectives of the Iraq Liberation Act is essential that the 
Iraqi opposition unify as a force for change, and the National Assembly 
session that you have called is certain to advance this effort.
   The Clinton Administration also has been on record since June of last 
year as favoring the convocation of a general congress of the Iraqi 
opposition under INC auspices, and the Administration committed at that 
time to make the financial resources available to successfully conduct 
such a congress.  Since then, Congress has appropriated an additional $8 
million (on top of the $5 million appropriated earlier last year) to 
support opposition activities such as these.
   For all these reasons, and because of the INC's strong commitment to 
this endeavor, I am confident that the National Assembly meeting will be 
a big success.  If there is anything I can do over the next two months 
to contribute to the success of the National Assembly meeting, please do 
not hesitate to contact me immediately.
    With warmest regards,
    Sincerely,
    BENJAMIN A. GILMAN [signed]
    Chairman
    [House International Relations Committee]