>insist that the United States has been detected on one occasion
>secretly using cluster bombs despite Turkey's sensitivity about these
>bombs and that they should not be used against Saddam's forces. But
>it is understood that the United States is determined to use
>munitions that are most effective in protecting ONW crews as stated
>in the U.S. Embassy statement.
>
>copyright 2000. reprinted with permission.
>
>--- PUBLIC COUNSEL LAW CENTER MEDIA ADVISORY April 4, 2000
>
>RE-TRIAL OF IRAQI OPPOSITION MEMBER DR. ALI YASSIN MOHAMMED KARIM,
>WHO WAS EVACUATED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT FROM IRAQ, WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY,
>APRIL 10TH
>
>WITNESSES DURING FIRST WEEK WILL INCLUDE: o WARREN MARIK, SENIOR
>CIA CASE OFFICER (RETIRED), PREVIOUSLY STATIONED IN IRAQ o DR.
>AHMED CHALABI, PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS
>o FBI SPECIAL AGENTS MICHAEL ALLEN, JOHN PETERSON, THOMAS GRANEY
>
>DEFENSE COUNSEL: o R. JAMES WOOLSEY, SHEA & GARDNER, WASHINGTON,
>D.C. (Mr. Woolsey is a former Director of Central Intelligence and
>now a partner in the DC law firm of Shea & Gardner. He is handling
>the case on a pro bono basis.) o NIELS W. FRENZEN, PUBLIC COUNSEL
>LAW CENTER, LOS ANGELES (Mr. Frenzen was the lead counsel in
>the first trial.)
>
>TIME AND LOCATION:
>o First Week: Monday, April 10th to Friday, April 14th.
>The schedule for the Second Week will be set shortly.
>8:00 A.M. (Court is scheduled to convene at 8 AM each day; However,
>scheduling should be reconfirmed on a DAILY BASIS.)
>o U.S. Immigration Court San Pedro INS Detention Center
>2001 Seaside Avenue, Terminal Island San Pedro, CA 90731
>
>FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
> R. James Woolsey, Shea & Gardner, Washington, DC, 202-828-2000
> Niels Frenzen, Public Counsel Law Center, Los Angeles, 213-385-
>2977, ext. 103 Francis Brooke, Iraqi National Congress, Washington,
>DC, 202-338-5517
>
>CASE BACKGROUND:
> In October 1996 the U.S. Government evacuated approximately 600
>Iraqi opposition members and family members from northern Iraq
>through Turkey to Guam. These opposition members belonged to the
>Iraqi National Congress (INC), an Iraqi opposition organization that
>received substantial support from the U.S. Government and the CIA in
>its efforts to overthrow Saddam Hussein. On August 31, 1996, Iraqi
>army forces attacked the INC base in northern Iraq. The U.S.
>Government took steps to protect key opposition members. Today,
>with three exceptions, all of the evacuated Iraqi opposition members
>have now been resettled in the U.S. In 1997, the Immigration &
> Naturalization Service commenced deportation proceedings against
> approximately two-dozen of the 600 Iraqi opposition members.
>Several were accused of posing unspecified risks to the U.S.
>national security.
>
>The exact charges and much of the Government evidence were
>classified and withheld from the defendants and their attorneys.
>During a forty-day trial in 1997, the INS presented classified
>secret evidence and secret testimony to the U.S. Immigration Court.
>In March 1998, U.S. Immigration Judge D.D. Sitgraves issued a
>written decision, the bulk of which was classified and therefore
> also withheld from the defendants and their attorneys, finding six
>opposition members to be national security risks and ordering them
>deported to Iraq. While an appeal was pending, R. James Woolsey,
>the first Director of Central Intelligence in the Clinton
>Administration and now an attorney in private practice, offered his
>services on a pro bono basis. Subsequent to Mr. Woolsey's
>involvement, the Justice Department declassified much of the
> previously classified evidence. A Settlement Agreement was also
>reached on behalf of five of the INC opposition members. They now
>reside in Lincoln, Nebraska with their wives and children. One
>opposition member, Dr. Ali Yassin Mohammed Karim, decided not to
>accept the Settlement Agreement and his re-trial on national security
>charges will commence on April 10th. He and his defense counsel
>will now have an opportunity to confront and cross-examine the three
>FBI Special Agents who previously testified in secret before the
>Immigration Court.
>
>For further details see:
>1) New York Times, "Citing Security, U.S. Jails Iraqis It Used in
>Plot," May 10, 1997
>2) New York Times, Editorial, "The CIA's Men in Iraq," May 13, 1997
>3) New York Times, Editorial, "Six Iraqis,Unfairly Judged,"
> March 15, 1998
>4) Washington Times, Editorial, "America the Fickle," March 19, 1998
>5) New York Times,"Ex-CIA Chief Offers Aid to Iraqis Facing Ouster,"
> March 21, 1998
>6) Wall Street Journal, Op-Ed by R. James Woolsey, "Iraqi Dissidents
> Railroaded by U.S.," June 10, 1998
>7) Washington Post, "Other Side of the Secrecy Coin - Ex-CIA Chief
>Fights Confidentiality of Data on His Iraqi Clients," June 26, 1998
>8) Washington Post, "Evidence Against Iraqis Mishandled," July 11,
> 1998
>9) Washington Post, Editorial, "Not-So-Secret Evidence," July 22,
> 1998
>10) Los Angeles Times, "New Files Cast Doubt on Case Against 6
> Iraqis," Aug.
>10, 1998
>11) New York Times, " Evidence to Deny 6 Iraqis Asylum May Be Weak,
>Files Show," Oct. 13, 1998
>12) New York Times, "5 Iraqis Are Released From U.S. Detention
> Center," June 25, 1999
>
>---
>
>Cairo Paper Views UNSC Resolution on Iraq
>al-Ahram al-Masa'i (Cairo) 03 Apr 00
>
>[FBIS Translated Text]
> In a rare move, the Security Council decided to double the amount
>of money Iraq is allowed to spend on buying equipment and spare parts
>for its deteriorating oil industry. By virtue of this resolution,
>the amount was increased from $600 million to $1.2 billion over a 12-
>month period ending June next year.
>
> In this context, the Security Council resolution is merciful
>in appearance and cruel in reality. It is not aimed at alleviating
>the suffering of the Iraqis but at guaranteeing the pumping of Iraqi
>oil into the international markets to help overcome part of the oil
>price crisis that escalated recently creating confusion in the
>European and the US circles.
>
> Had the big countries really wanted to alleviate the suffering of
>the Iraqi people, they would have taken a more serious step toward
>removing the economic sanctions, even in part. However, what is
>happening at the Security Council is nothing but deliberations, which
>will ultimately be rendered futile by the joint veto of the
>United States and the United Kingdom.
>
> No doubt, there are big question marks concerning the intention
>behind the passing of the UN Security Council [UNSC] resolution.
>
> The big countries promoted many claims related to their move
>to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqis. However, what is happening
>is quite the opposite. Had these countries--especially the United
>States and the United Kingdom--really wanted to move toward saving
>the Iraqi people, they would not have stood against
>the projects submitted for the removal of the sanctions that have
>been imposed on Iraq for more than nine years.
>
> From this perspective, the UNSC resolution is supposed to be
>an important step that should be consummated by removing the
>sanctions or reducing them.
>
> Dealing with the economic sanctions as a fait accompli is the
>real danger that kills the ray of light at the end of the dark tunnel
>that Iraq entered after the Gulf War.
>
> Undoubtedly, this resolution gives rise to many questions on
>the effectiveness of the Arab diplomatic efforts to contain the
>crisis of the economic sanctions.
>
> Needless to say, the absence of an active Arab move to save the
>people of Iraq had a negative impact on the international effort in
>this regard. This, in turn, led to using the Security Council
>resolutions to the advantage of certain interests due to this
>unjustifiable crisis.
>
> The Iraqi crisis was and still is a living proof of the
>disintegration and disagreement of the Arabs, which increased in
>intensity following Saddam Husayn's adventure of invading Kuwait in
>August 1990.
>
> It is true that this historic crime has left a great negative
>impact. However, it is important not to stop for long before the
>painful incidents of the past. We have to move toward the future.
>There is no time for further disagreements or groupings, and there is
>no place in this world for anything other than big economic blocks.
>
> For this reason, it is necessary that the move to save the Iraqi
>people be speedy and unified. This would be the first step toward
>overcoming the impact and negative results of the past and preparing
>for occupying a more outstanding place on the map of the new global
>system.
>---
>
>UAE Confirms Support for Lifting Sanctions Against Iraq
>Al-Ittihad - Abu Dhabi 02 Apr 00
>
>[FBIS Translated Text]
> His Highness Shaykh Sultan Bin-Zayid Al Nuhayyan, the deputy
>prime minister, yesterday morning received British member of
>parliament Mr. George Galloway in his office. Galloway is well known
>for his position calling for the lifting of the embargo on the Iraqi
>people.
>
> During the meeting, His Highness Shaykh Sultan Bin-Zayid Al
>Nuhayyan confirmed the support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for
>all efforts exerted for the sake of lifting the suffering from the
>Iraqi people. His Highness valued the humanitarian and noble
>positions of the British parliament deputy and he also
>commended Galloway's courage and self-sacrifice in defending
>humanitarian values.
>
> His Highness added that the suffering of the Iraqi people
>"causes us much pain". These are a helpless people who have
>already paid dearly out of the future lives of its children.
>
> His Highness said that the death of Iraq's infants is a shameful
>blot on the face of humanity. Efforts must be united to aid the
>people of Iraq and return them to their appropriate position as a
>people that has offered many ideals and values to human civilization
>"that we are proud of".
>
> His Highness called for expediting the lifting of the embargo
>from Iraq, protecting the Iraqi people, and putting a stop to the
>maelstrom of sickness and hunger that has destroyed thousands of
>innocent people. These people fall victim every day to a shortage of
>food and medicines, the spread of disease, and the pollution of
>the environment. He said that the world must be ready to stand up to
>its responsibility and make the right decision of mercy for the
>people of Iraq.
>
> For his part, Mr. Galloway praised the positions of His Royal
>Highness Shaykh Zayid Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan, the head of state,
>supporting the Iraqi people and his constant calls for lifting their
>suffering and providing them with unlimited help and assistance. He
>said, "Through my visit to the country, I felt the extent of the pain
>that grips the government of the UAE and its people and their
>deep and sincere desire to help the Iraqi people. [I have felt their
>desire for] serious and committed action for the sake of putting a
>stop to more victims and the pain coming from the yoke of the embargo
>that has been imposed upon the Iraqi people."
>
> He added, "In its positions, the UAE has often called for
>the international community to exert immediate and urgent efforts
>that would ensure a rectification of conditions and a lifting of the
>suffering from the Iraqi people. It has expressed its deep and
>increased anxiety over the repercussions of this embargo and its
>resulting painful and inhumane effects." He pointed out that these
>positions spring from the conscience of the leader of this state, His
>Royal Highness Shaykh Zayid Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan, who shares in the
>tragedy and pain of the people of Iraq.
>
> It is reported that Mr. Galloway led a campaign to help the
>Iraqi people. The campaign traveled through several Arab and
>international capitals aboard one of the famous British buses. It
>set off from the British capital of London and ended its journey in
>Baghdad. The campaign was referred to as "Maryam's Call" after
>the name of an Iraqi child that was afflicted with a serious illness
>under the embargo.
>
>--- Writer Urges Independents To Join Iraqi Opposition Al-Sharq Al-
>Awsat 03 Apr 00 by Khalid 'isa Taha
>
>"Iraqi Community's Negative Attitude Pushes Conference To Embrace US
>More"
>
>[FBIS Translated Text] 'Adnan al-Bajaji and a group of Iraqi
>democrats who have formed the Democratic Center Current have called
>for a political symposium at which the conferees will discuss the
>reasons for the Iraqi opposition's fragmentation and
>immobility. This fragmentation and immobility have made the Iraqi
>opposition an object of ridicule. It has also strengthened the
>Baghdad regime, which has tightened its control over the country. Al-
>Bajaji has a clean record. He is an intellectual with a clear vision.
>It is hoped he will persuade the independents to attend the
>symposium.
>
> Undoubtedly, the independents are frustrated and disappointed in
>an opposition whose slogans and goals hide a hunger for power and
>dollars. The independents are trying hard to have a strong voice that
>is not influenced by US funds or funds from other sources. They
>believe in the unity of Iraq--people and land. They believe that the
>unity of the Iraqi decision needs an opposition that is very close to
>the people's hopes and aspirations.
>
> The personal donations by several independent personalities have
>had a great impact. For the first time those who dedicate their time
>and effort and who expose themselves to dangers have found sincere
>financial assistance. This assistance helps them to carry out their
>duty to which they have dedicated their life and to sponsor urgent
>national issues, such as helping the children of Iraq and calling
>for a real democratic regime. Some Iraqi independents are still
>hesitant to attend the conference called by the Democratic Center
>Current.
>
> Clean-Mouthed Opposition
>
> I want to whisper in the ears of those who, for one reason or
>another, want to boycott the conference that their negative attitude
>harms the opposition and shakes the Iraqi community's confidence in
>any political activity aiming to serve the interest of the Iraq
>people.
>
> First, we must realize that creating an opposition with a clean
>mouth and hand is not easy for several reasons, notably the pressure
>of expatriation and the lack of work that would allow them to earn a
>living and face the requirements of life and struggle.
>
> Second, the negative attitude toward the activity of the
>Democratic Center Current under the banner of which many Iraqi
>independents with strong roots in the field of national struggle have
>flocked will only lead to the following:
>
> A) The spread of a spirit of frustration and despair to a degree
>that an individual feels that the opposition cannot unite its ranks,
>let alone change a regime that has 30 years of political experience
>and that has party agencies and establishments and a capacity for
>survival and maneuvering.
>
> B) The abstention of other communities from supporting the Iraqi
>opposition particularly as some people say that the Iraqis have
>agreed to disagree. This is not true because the streets of Baghdad
>have always witnessed the cohesion of all the national forces,
>undivided by religion or creed, in times of adversity. An example is
>the Iraqi people's heroic support for the 1948, 1956, and
>1990 upheavals, despite their shortcomings and their departure from
>their aims. Iraq and its people have adopted several stands that
>prove they can agree when the need arises. The National Front, which
>was composed of various parties with different ideologies, proved
>this in the 1950s and until the outbreak of the 14 July [1958]
>Revolution.
>
> C) The failure to unite all independents with democratic
>tendencies will lead to frustration and despair and will push the
>opposition into seeking unconditional foreign assistance until the
>Iraqis become tools in the hands of the Americans. This is a scourge
>worse than that from which the Iraqis are suffering now.
>
> Clear Vision
>
> I believe those who have reservations about the meetings of
>the Democratic Center Current must abide by the rules of the
>democratic game. They must attend the meetings and explain their
>views clearly and frankly, instead of resorting to broadsides and
>accusations in the print media. In our country we lack freedom
>of expression and we resort to violence as the only way to express
>our opinion. However, the country of fog [England] has enough freedom
>to let light diffuse and to enable everyone to enjoy the fruit of
>democratic work and to exchange views without violence
>or conspiracies.
>
> The Iraqi opposition must comprehend the situation. It must
>realize that the rules of the diplomatic game change with the change
>of time, place, and circumstances. These rules even change with the
>change of the psychological, ideological, and physiological change of
>the opponents and their detractors. These rules require
>paying attention to the international scene where the opposition
>carries out its work and struggle.
>
> The opposition must categorize the supporter and the opponent,
>the sympathizer and the conspirator, the good and bad, the lean and
>fat. It must deal with each side according to its position toward it.
>It must get closer to those who are sincere and loyal to it and must
>keep away from those who harbor evil for the Iraqi people, land, and
>history. Iraq must remain proud and great all the time.
>
> The opposition must represent a people who suffer from
>domination, injustice, and repression at home and abroad. It must
>have a very clear vision. It must be wise and balanced. It must
>accept everything that is in the interest of Iraq, regardless of
>its source. It must reject everything that harms the Iraqi cause.
>
> Thereafter all the opposition ranks will be united because the
>goal is one and agreed over, even if each side's methods of
>implementation differ.
>
>**************
>Washington Kurdish Institute 605 G Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
>(tel) 202-484-0140 (fax) 202-484-0142
>(Web Site) http://www.kurd.org/kurd
>
>"for Kurdish People Worldwide" JC
>
>
>
>
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