DATE=11/5/1999
TYPE=EDITORIAL
TITLE=EDITORIAL: IRAQI OPPOSITION DESERVES SUPPORT
NUMBER=0-08517
CONTENT=
THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED
FOR BROADCAST 11/5/99.
Anncr: The Voice of America presents differing
points of view on a wide variety of issues. Next,
an editorial expressing the policies of the United
States Government:
Voice: Leaders of Iraq's exiled opposition are
seeking to create a united front against the
Saddam Hussein tyranny. In New York recently,
more than three-hundred members of the Iraqi
National Congress met to discuss strategy and
choose leaders. Their new seven-member leadership
council includes Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims,
representatives of both major Kurdish factions,
and people of varying political views. But all
agree on the need to establish a pluralistic
regime in Baghdad that respects human rights and
the rule of law.
The United States strongly backs the goals of the
Iraqi National Congress. The U.S. wants to see an
Iraq that is responsive to the needs of its own
people, at peace with its neighbors, and compliant
with international law. While Iraq's political
transition must come from within the country, it
is clear that the world must respond to the pleas
of the Iraqi people for protection and help.
Years ago, in Resolution 6-8-8, the United Nations
Security Council declared Iraq's internal
repression a threat to international peace and
security. Clearly, Saddam Hussein and his clique
of Iraqi criminals must be stripped of power and
brought to justice.
In the meantime, U-N sanctions are helping to
deprive Iraq's ruling clique of its lifeblood -
cash. And the U-N's oil-for-food plan is intended
to redirect the benefits of Iraq's oil wealth away
from building more palaces, prisons, and weapons
for Saddam and toward providing food and medicine
for all Iraqis.
Now is the time for other countries to take the
next logical step and join the U.S. in supporting
free Iraqis through the Iraqi National Congress.
And this support should continue until there is a
government in Baghdad that serves the Iraqi people
- not the other way around. Only then, will Iraq
no longer be a threat to world peace and security.
Anncr: That was an editorial expressing the
policies of the United States Government. If you
have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A,
Washington, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. You may also
comment at www-dot-voa-dot-gov-slash-editorials,
or fax us at (202) 619-1043.
04-Nov-1999 13:32 PM EDT (04-Nov-1999 1832 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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