Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=04/23/03

TYPE=SPECIAL REPORT

TITLE=U-S AMBASSADOR- IRAQ AND MIDEAST (PART II)

NUMBER=9-31

BYLINE=WILLIAM CHIEN

DATELINE=KUWAIT

INTRO: Recently, Voice of America broadcast part one of an interview with U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, Richard H. Jones, where we discussed the work of the Ambassador in regards to war preparations and the strategic importance of Kuwait. In this second part of the interview, the Ambassador offers an analysis of Iraq's chances at democracy and the future of a U.S. military presence in Kuwait.

TEXT: Ambassador Jones does not see any fundamental obstacles to democracy in Iraq, pointing to Iraq's democratic past and the abundance of well-educated Iraqis who have spent a lot of time in the west and will be returning to Iraq to help their fellow countrymen.

///JONES ACT///

In terms of religion, there are people who argue that Islam is contrary to democracy. According to my experience over the past 20 years, I've seen nothing that supports that thesis. I think Islam is one of the most inherent democratic religions and I think Muslims are fully capable of practicing democracy. One of the interesting things is that in general there is no hierarchy of clergy that exists in other religions. Basically, Islam says that you can speak directly to God, no need for intermediaries. If you feel you can speak directly to your God than you certainly feel you can speak directly to your president. In my opinion, it is a very egalitarian approach to religion, very egalitarian approach to society. One of the hallmarks of the haj is that everyone has to dress the same. So, the wealthy and the poor, there is no longer anything to separate them or to mark one against the other. Islam is very tolerant to other religions. We have an image of Arabs in the US but if you live in the region, societies are much more multi-ethnic than the common image in the United States. You see a lot of Asian influence. You see a lot of African influence in Arab society. They haven't had the same kind of.I haven't witnessed the same sort of the ethnic tension that you see in other societies..history of tolerance in Islam, history of egalitarianism..and certainly a history of consultation. Rulers love to consult the people..things called malshulashiya..throughout the region, historically. I think that there are..certainly living here in Kuwait.love for the freedom of speech and love of freedom of assembly. If it can happen in Kuwait I don't see why it can't happen in other Muslim societies.

///END ACT///

When asked about the recent Shi'ite protests against America, Ambassador Jones has this to say:

///JONES ACT///

Well, I think that is a natural reaction to what happened. They are the majority in Iraq and have been oppressed by the minority regime that Saddam Hussein headed. And, so I think it is a natural reaction if that oppression is removed that they would want to assert themselves. We don't have a problem with that we think it is healthy, the process of creating a consensus within Iraq, after all it is their country and they are the majority, but then we don't want the majority to oppress the minority. We need to protect minority rights.all parts of society can be represented and make decisions according to the rule of the majority.confident their rights are being protected.

///END ACT///

Ambassador Jones adds that his embassy in Kuwait worked tirelessly to help retired U.S. Lieutenant-General Jay Garner prepare to launch his work in Iraq.

/// ACT JONES ///

One of our biggest contributions as an embassy has already been made and that is that we assisted and supported Dept. of Defense's Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, the so-called Garner group, headed by retired Lt. Jay Garner. We helped his group, which was established here at the Hilton Hotel logistically. We helped them with formalities with the Kuwaiti government, introduced them to the region, Kuwaiti businessmen and helped prepare them psychologically, substantively and for their push into Iraq.

/// END ACT ///

Ambassador Jones goes on to talk about the existence of U.S. military presence in the Middle East after the Iraq war, adding that the number of troops is a matter of differing opinions.

/// JONES ACT ///

Well, I do think that the U-S needs a continuing presence here. I don't think it will need to be that strong. Our..trying to think.I believe on average over the past 12 years was only three-four-thousand people and it was not that great a presence and it was on a rotating basis. Myself, I think that after this war the number of troops in the U.S. military bases will quickly drop. We have some people here on an extenuating presence but most forces were only here for three months. A lot of good training bases developed after the Gulf war to serve as training grounds for our troops. We'd expect that Kuwait would want to continue this presence. It has proven very valuable for us to have our troops trained in this environment. I think that they.national security of Kuwait. I would look for that relationship to continue. But there were only three-four-thounsand personnel on the ground at any one time. Back towards that level over the next year.

/// END ACT ///

And, what is the first priority of the U-S now that the war is over?

/// ACT - AMBASSADOR JONES ENGLISH QUOTE ///

The first priority is the mission of eliminating weapons of mass destruction. We are still looking and believe that without a doubt they are there. I think that we are seeing little by little that there are hints. The removal of weapons of mass destruction and the instability and the threat that they post to the region, leading to regional instability was very important to us, but having removed Saddam Hussein's regime it is incumbent on us to replace it and to assist the Iraqi people to replace it with a stable government..We will do our best to see that the new government is chartered on a democratic course because we feel that is the best way to represent the diverse interests within Iraqi society, best way to be sure that the Iraqi people are creating this government. That is really our goal. To help the Iraqi people create a stable government that will ..not a source of instability in the region, but a source of...

///END ACT///

Ambassador Jones believes that the second major issue is to help the Iraqi people establish their own democratic government.

///JONES ACT///

We don't want to stay one day longer than we need to. It is our duty not to leave a vacuum behind. Most of the criticism we received is that we are not providing enough security. We don't want to have criticism that we left too soon and that there is chaos behind us. Get out in an orderly manner...fully agreeing with us on this point.

///END ACT///

From Kuwait, this is the Voice of America's William Chien with the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, Richard H. Jones. (Signed)

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