01 November 1999
U.S. Pledges Support for Iraqi Opposition
(Pickering: U.S. will help rebuild Iraq after Saddam Hussein) (1470) By Judy Aita Washington File Staff Correspondent New York -- The United States will actively support Iraqi opposition leaders "not only until you are free, but also thereafter in rebuilding a new, democratic Iraq," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Pickering told a major meeting of Iraqi opposition leaders November 1. In a speech to the final session of a three-day meeting of the Iraqi Opposition Conference and National Assembly, Pickering said the United States' strategic goal is "not only the removal of a tyrant," but also the "full recovery and reintegration of Iraq by yourselves and for yourselves at the earliest possible moment." The undersecretary praised the group for holding the meeting, which he said was a milestone that can prove wrong those who doubt the opposition's ability to unite. "You have shown that you are united not merely in opposition to something negative, but more importantly, that you are united in the positive goal that virtually all Iraqis support: nothing less than the full recovery of your country -- free and prosperous under a pluralist government that serves its people, sovereign within its international recognized borders from Zakho to Faw, and at peace with itself and with all its neighbors," Pickering said. More than 300 delegates agreed on "a new streamlined and respresentative decision-making structure" in order to be able "to more effectively coordinate efforts inside and outside Iraq" and elected a 65-member central council and a seven-person leadership team, INC spokesperson Salah Shaikhly said at a press conference after the November 1 meeting. "With this election, we have proven to the Iraqi people and to the world that there is an alternative to the Iraqi regime," Shaikhly said. "We have now put in place a unified, representative, and re-invigorated leadership team that will apply real pressure on Saddam Hussein." The three-day event included lively discussions; five working groups which formulated policy on the future of Iraq, political issues, fundraising and finance, human rights, constitutional issues, and a new INC charter; speeches by U.S. congressmen and senators and briefings for journalists. It was "true democracy in action," the INC spokesman said. "The reports from these working groups represent a blueprint for a new Iraq. More importantly, they lay out the framework by which we will change the regime and seek to rebuild a peaceful and democratic nation," Shaikhly said. Pickering also met with the seven-member leadership group before his address to the Congress. "We all know this is not any easy course of action nor a risk-free enterprise or one that is going to experience perpetually smooth sailing," Pickering told journalists after his speech. But deserving of attention and praise is the fact over the past two or three years the groups have united to the degree that 300 attended the meeting, some coming from inside Iraq at great personal danger, he pointed out. They are continuing to pull together and elected an executive group and leadership. "What has brought them together is what they have in common and a deep sense about the future of their own country," Pickering said. "A united Iraq with its sovereignty and territorial integrity is something that has tended to be lost by Saddam's oppression. ... It is heartening to know that Iraqis inside and outside of the country have this sense of commitment and feel for the future of their country." Pickering, who was the chief U.S. delegate to the United Nations in 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait, noted that he spent a major portion of his diplomatic career in the Middle East. He said that he "always had a sense after meeting Iraqis that they had some special commitment to their country and its future built around the great history of Baghdad and the region." The undersecretary said that the United States was "delighted" that some members of the southern opposition, including from inside Iraq, were able to attend the New York session. "We will be delighted to continue to find ways to work more effectively with them as they become part of the united opposition and as we can establish more contact," he added. The United States believes that the opposition should have four primary areas of activity, Pickering said. "One is to bring themselves together in increasing unity -- that's an on-going and important task," he said. Another is to make sure that through the news media and others means the world community understands the exact nature of the oppressions being carried out by Saddam Hussein. The third area is to work with the United States and others on the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people through such avenues as the Security council's "oil-for-food program" and the new Security Council sanctions resolution that would, among other things, send UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq. The fourth area "is to think about and formulate the democratic future for Iraq after Saddam disappears," Pickering said. "Certainly we believe that the fourth task is as important as the other three, but it gives you a sense of balance as we seek the tasks ahead for the democratic and free opposition," he said. In his formal speech, Pickering outlined what he called the "multi-dimensional strategy" of the United States to help hasten "The Change" in Baghdad. The undersecretary said that in addition to working through the United Nations to maintain sanctions controls and maintaining the no-fly zone, the United States is working to bring Saddam Hussein and his innermost circle to justice for crimes against the Iraqi people. Shaikhly said that the congress hopes "that with our display of unity, we have given hope to the Iraqi people that their freedom is within their reach. Within the next few weeks we will establish a new structure to coordinate all aspects of our program of actions. The main emphasis on activities will definitely be inside Iraq." The leadership team elected are: Dr. Ayad Allawi (Iraqi National Accord), Riyad Al-Yawer (independent), Sharif Ali Bin Al Hussein (Constitutional Monarchy Movement), Dr. Ahmed Chalabi (Independent), Sheikh Mohammed Mohammed Ali (Independent Islamic), Dr. Latif Rashid (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) and Hoshyar Zibari (Kurdistan Democratic Party). "It was very important for the congress to hear that the strategic goal of the United States is not just to remove the dictatorship in Iraq but to rebuild Iraq and to help Iraqis recover Iraq fully and to reinstate Iraq to the international community," Rashid said. Al Hussein said that "the agenda is that we will institute a democratic, pluralistic regime that respects human rights and the rule of law and that Iraqi people have the right to choose what form of government they want. This is our principal goal that we are united on." "It is really about giving freedom back to the Iraqi people," Al Hussein said. Al Hussein stressed the independence of the INC and opposition. "The United States exercises absolutely no influence on our policy, on our decision, on our strategy ... we act totally for the interests of the Iraqi people," he said. The leaders said that they are hoping for more recognition by governments in Europe and the region and to increase contacts with other opposition groups that are not currently aligned with the congress. The INC also heard from U.S. Senators Sam Brownback of Kansas, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, and Bob Kerrey of Nebraska, vice chairman of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee. Brownback told the congress that to remove Saddam Hussein the group will need the support of the United States and other countries, "but most of all you will need to become a potent, unified force." "Divided, you represent millions of Iraqis. Together, you can represent much of the country. Divided, you have rivalries that you could fight out for centuries and still not resolve," Brownback said. "Together you can democratize Iraq within a year. Your fate, and the fate of all the people of Iraq, is together." Kerrey said that he is "extremely hopeful" about the future of Iraq. "The liberation of Iraq is not only inevitable, but could be achieved in the very near future," Kerrey said. The senator attributed his assessment on three factors: Saddam Hussein is weak, the opposition is strong and "the American people support those who are willing to take risks to achieve freedom." The United States will support a democratic Iraq by providing humanitarian assistance, transition assistance to help build democratic institutions and transform the Iraqi economy, work with other nations to arrange debt forgiveness, and lift international sanctions, Kerrey said. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)
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