Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=12/13/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / OPPOSITION (L)

NUMBER=2-297439

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Iraqi opposition groups are gathering for a meeting in London that begins Saturday to debate the political future of the country if President Saddam Hussein is toppled from power. V-O-A's Michael Drudge has details from London.

TEXT: On the eve of the conference, Iraqi opposition leaders presented a summary of a draft document laying out democratic principles that should be adopted if Saddam Hussein is overthrown.

A summary issued at a news conference said the draft is based on the assumption that the United States will lead a coalition of forces in a war to topple the Iraqi leader.

Delegates says the document was written by a group of 32 Iraqis with support of the U-S State Department, and it lays out a blueprint for Iraq's transition from a military dictatorship to a democratic state.

Delegate Rend Rahim said the 300-page draft spells out the fundamental goals of the Iraqi opposition, though the debate on the document is far from finished.

/// RAHIM ACT ///

The agreement reached by the working group on the broad issues and principles of democratization, constitutionalism, accountability, human rights and federalism represents a very encouraging sign for Iraq's future.

/// END ACT ///

Also at the news conference was Ahmed Chalabi of the Iraqi National Congress, an umbrella group representing several parties.

He had been in Iran earlier this week, and said he does not believe Iran would interfere with a U-S-led invasion of neighboring Iraq, despite the poor relations between Washington and Tehran.

/// CHALBI ACT ///

Iran has always supported the Iraqi people in their struggle against Saddam Hussein and we believe that Iran will not stand in the way of liberating the Iraqi people.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Chalabi said the London conference will not establish a government-in-exile but could lay the foundation for a provisional government inside Iraq when and if an American-led invasion takes place. (Signed).

NEB/MWD/KL