DATE=10/30/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQI OPPOSITION (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255634
BYLINE=LARRY FREUND
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Representatives of Iraqi opposition groups
began a four-day meeting in New York Friday and heard
calls from two American senators for them to unite --
despite their differences -- to overthrow Iraqi leader
Saddam Hussein. Correspondent Larry Freund reports
from New York.
TEXT: The meeting was organized by one of the leading
Iraqi opposition groups, the London-based Iraqi
National Congress. U-S Senator Sam Brownback -
chairman of the Senate Near Eastern Subcommittee --
pleaded with the delegates to become a potent, unified
force that can topple Saddam Hussein.
/// BROWNBACK ACTUALITY ///
Divided, you represent millions of Iraqis. Together
you could represent the country of Iraq. Divided you
have rivalries that you could fight out for centuries
and still not resolve. Together you can democratize
Iraq. Your fate and the fate of all the peoples of
Iraq is together. It's together that that fate
belongs. This is your start, but you must keep it
going. You simply must. You can't let this stop.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
A number of opposition groups sent representatives to
the meeting, although the Supreme Council for the
Islamic Revolution in Iraq -- a significant group
based in Iran -- is not participating.
Although the U-S Congress has authorized the
expenditure of nearly 100 million dollars to encourage
the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, U-S Senator Bob
Kerrey -- in his remarks to the opening session of the
meeting -- said the United States has no desire to
control Iraq.
/// KERREY ACTUALITY ///
No doubt Iraq will elect presidents or prime ministers
or politicians who will disagree with U-S policy and
it is your right to do so if that is your conclusion.
We do not seek to control the people of Iraq.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Senator Kerrey drew the evening's largest applause
when he said what he described as the historic
conference of opposition leaders can take place in
Baghdad next year.
/// KERREY ACTUALITY ///
I believe that what you do here for the next couple of
days in large part will determine whether or not that
success occurs. And I will pray that it happens. I
will work hard to make it happen so that you and I can
gather next year in Baghdad, inshalah.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
The conference is scheduled to conclude on Monday.
(signed)
NEB/NY/LSF / wd
30-Oct-1999 01:30 AM EDT (30-Oct-1999 0530 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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