ACCESSION NUMBER:297931

FILE ID:NEA211

DATE:08/03/93

TITLE:U.S. "WILL NOT TURN ITS BACK" ON REPRESSED COMMUNITIES IN IRAQ (08/03/93)

TEXT:*93080311.NEA Clinton/lantos/kurds letter yb rm

*NEA211   08/03/93



U.S. "WILL NOT TURN ITS BACK" ON REPRESSED COMMUNITIES IN IRAQ

(Text: Clinton 8/2/93 letter to Lantos on Kurds, Shia)  (470)

Washington -- President Clinton says his administration "will not turn its

back on the Kurds, Shia and other Iraqi communities subjected to the

repression of Saddam Hussein's regime."



In a letter to U.S. Representative Tom Lantos, the president said the United

States will insist on Iraqi compliance with United Nations Security Council

resolutions, while continuing its support of humanitarian relief efforts in

Iraq, and "will remain constant in its support for a government

representing all of the people of Iraq and which is committed to the

territorial integrity and unity of Iraq."



Following is the text of President Clinton's letter, dated August 2:

(BEGIN TEXT)

I share the concerns that you and your colleagues expressed in your recent

letter regarding the situation in Iraq.  My administration will not turn

its back on the Kurds, Shia and other Iraqi communities subjected to the

repression of Saddam Hussein's regime.



Our policy toward Iraq is clear.  Our action of June 26 against the Iraqi

intelligence and terrorism apparatus that targeted George Bush underscored

our determination to deal firmly with Iraqi aggression.  We also insist on

full Iraqi compliance with all the UN Security Council resolutions,

including resolution 688 which demands an end to the repression of the

Iraqi people.  That resolution highlighted the plight of the Iraqi Kurds.

Since 1991, coalition aircraft have enforced a no-fly zone in northern

Iraq.  The no-fly zone has deterred Iraq from mounting a large-scale

offensive against the Kurds and other inhabitants.  The Turkish parliament

has just extended the mandate for that force with our full support.



We continue to support humanitarian relief operations in Iraq.  We organized

a donors conference in Geneva this spring to help rally more international

aid for the Iraqi people suffering from Saddam's internal economic

blockades.  We are also seeking additional deposits in the UN escrow

account, established by UN resolution 778, which funds UN operations

including relief efforts in Iraq.  In addition, we are working to promote

the sale of $1.6 billion in Iraqi oil, proceeds of which would be used to

purchase food, medicine, and materials for the essential needs of the Iraqi

people.



At my request, Vice President Gore met with Iraqi opposition leaders

representing all elements of Iraqi society in May.  Kurdish leaders Jalal

Talabani and Masoud Barzani were part of the delegation from the Iraq

National Congress.  I assure you that the United States will remain

constant in its support for a government representing all of the people of

Iraq and which is committed to the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq.



(END TEXT)

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