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 .
IRAQ NEWS, THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1999 I. CONGRESS PRODS ADMINISTRATION TO FUND IRAQI OPPOSITION, DJ, MAY 5 II. LETTER FROM CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP TO ALBRIGHT, MAY 4 III. LETTER FROM CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP TO INC, MAY 4 I. CONGRESS PRODS ADMINISTRATION TO FUND IRAQI OPPOSITION U.S. Congress Prods Clinton Administration To Fund Iraq Opposition Dow Jones Wed, May 5, 1999 WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Several U.S. members of Congress are prodding President Clinton's administration to move more quickly to disburse $97 million in U.S. funding available to Iraqi opposition groups. In a letter Tuesday to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, five congressmen asked that leaders of the Iraqi National Congress, an umbrella opposition group, be invited to Washington to meet U.S. lawmakers and Clinton administration officials. The letter is signed by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms, R-N.C., Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., Sen. Robert Kerrey, D-Neb. and Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y. The letter expresses concern that only a small portion of the resources Congress and the President have made available to help overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein have been disbursed. The INC wants the State Department to sponsor an assembly of its 250 representatives in Washington to be held before July 7, according to an INC source. At the Washington assembly, the group plans to resolve differences among its constituents, elect a new president and make a unified request for military funding from the U.S., the source says. The INC has been under interim leadership by a seven-man council since early April when its members voted to remove Ahmed Chalabi as its president. Chalabi, a Shiite Iraqi and the group's founder, is now one of the INC's seven council members. The other council members represent: the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan; the Kurdish Democratic Party; the Iraqi National Accord, comprised of former Ba'athist party members; two independent Sunni and Shiite groups; and the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a Tehran-based Shiite group. Clinton administration officials have been skeptical about the INC leading a successful popular revolt against Saddam Hussein given its failed insurgency in 1996 [NB: 1996 DID NOT REPRESENT THE FAILURE OF THE IRAQI OPPOSITION; IT REPRESENTED THE FECKLESSNESS OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION] and Iraq's often-divided opposition groups. -By Campion Walsh; 202-862-9291; campion.walsh@dowjones.com (END) DOW JONES NEWS 05-05-99 06:41 PM II. LETTER FROM CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP TO ALBRIGHT Congress of the United States Washington, DC May 4, 1999 The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright Department of State Washington, DC Dear Madam Secretary As you know, the Executive Committee of the Iraqi National Congress held a highly successful meeting in Britain on the 7th and 8th of April. Belying early reports of the INC's political demise, the group elected a new seven member Executive Presidency which promises vigorous activity in the run-up to the INC's National Assembly meeting in June or July. In addition, the INC is aggressively reaching out to other anti-regime Iraqis to broaden its base. Together with the United States and its allies, the members of the INC have renewed their commitment to cooperative efforts to rid the world of a dictator whose continued rule is morally and strategically unacceptable. Furthermore, we are deeply concerned by the fact that only a small percentage of the resources made available by the Congress for anti-Saddam activities, including under the Iraq Liberation Act, have been tapped by the Administration. We respectfully reiterate the request made by Senator Lott to Sandy Berger that detailed plans for the commitment of these resources (including the drawdown authority) be developed and shared with the Congress promptly. We believe it is important for the members of the Executive Presidency to come to Washington in the near future to meet with Administration officials and interested Members of Congress. Such a visit will afford an opportunity for the Iraqi oppositionists to report on their progress and to consult with the Administration and Congress regarding future activities in accordance with the ILA. We believe it is appropriate for the reasonable costs of the visit to be paid out of funds appropriated by the Congress to support the activities of the Iraqi opposition. We appreciate your consideration of our concerns and look forward to working together to seek the replacement of the Saddam Hussein regime. Sincerely, Senator Trent Lott Senator J. Robert Kerrey [signed] [signed] Senator Jesse Helms Representative Benjamin Gilman [signed] [signed] Senator Joseph Lieberman [signed] III. LETTER FROM CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP TO INC Congress of the United States Washington DC May 4, 1999 The Executive Presidency Iraqi National Congress Washington DC Dear Gentlemen We were pleased to learn the outcome of the recent meeting of the Iraqi National Congress' Executive Council and commend you on the formation of an Executive Presidency and the unity which it signifies. There are many urgent tasks ahead for the Iraqi opposition. As you are aware, disunity in the past has harmed pro-democracy forces in Iraq, and hampered the shared goal of ousting Saddam. Because of that, and with a view to demonstrating to the people of Iraq and to your friends and allies throughout the world that Iraqis of all ethnic and political persuasions are represented in the INC, it is imperative that you and all your colleagues reach out to all opponents of the Iraqi regime. As your outreach programs gather steam and you begin to formulate plans for the liberation of Iraq, we invite you to join us in Washington to share your ideas. At that time, you will have an opportunity to outline your vision of a post-Saddam Iraq for the Administration and the Congress, as well as to report of your progress in building regional support. As the United States Government works to implement the Iraq Liberation Act, your input will be vital. We look forward to seeing you as soon as possible, and assure you that you many count on our strong support. Sincerely, Senator Trent Lott Senator J. Robert Kerrey [signed] [signed] Senator Jesse Helms Representative Benjamin Gilman [signed] [signed] Senator Joseph Lieberman [signed]
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