DATE=11/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241954
TITLE=BRITAIN / IRAQ (L ONLY) 
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BRITAIN'S FOREIGN OFFICE IS HOSTING A MEETING OF IRAQI 
OPPOSITION GROUPS TO RE-ENFORCE BRITISH SUPPORT FOR THEIR 
STRUGGLE TO CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD.  V-O-A 
CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THIS MEETING HAS TAKEN ON 
MORE SIGNIFICANCE AFTER PUBLIC STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT FROM BOTH 
U-S PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR.

TEXT:  A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FOREIGN OFFICE SAYS 15 GROUPS HAVE 
BEEN INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO THE MEETING, WHICH WILL 
TAKE PLACE MONDAY IN LONDON.  BRITAIN HAS HELD SIMILAR MEETINGS 
DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS. 

BUT NABIL MUSAWI OF THE IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS SAYS THIS MEETING
TAKES ON ADDED IMPORTANCE IN THE WAKE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S LATEST 
CONFRONTATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.  MR. MUSAWI WILL REPRESENT
THE IRAQI NATIONAL CONFERENCE AT THE MEETING.

                      ///  MUSAWI ACT  ///

         THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT IN LIGHT OF STATEMENT MADE BY 
         PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IN PARLIAMENT REGARDING THE 
         BRITISH INTENTION OF HELPING, AS HE CALLED IT, THE 
         FORCES OF DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN IRAQ AND TO DISCUSS WAYS 
         IN WHICH BRITISH GOVERNMENT CAN HELP THE IRAQI 
         OPPOSITION TO ADVANCE ITS CAUSE.  PLUS, THE FACT THAT 
         THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY STATED ITS POSITION 
         THAT IT INTENDS TO FULLY SUPPORT THE IRAQI NATIONAL 
         CONGRESS POLITICALLY, FINANCIALLY AND MILITARILY TO 
         CARRY OUT CHANGE INSIDE IRAQ.

                        ///  END ACT  ///

MR. MUSAWI SAYS THE HIGH-LEVEL U-S AND BRITISH STATEMENTS ARE THE
CLEAREST SIGNS OF SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS TO OUST SADDAM HUSSEIN  
SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR.  HE POINTS TO THE U-S 
CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR NEARLY 100-MILLION DOLLARS IN AID AND 
HOPES FOR PLEDGES OF MORE PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE FROM BRITAIN TOO.

                   ///  MUSAWI SECOND ACT  ///

         WE'RE  NOT  TALKING ABOUT THE ALLIES GETTING IN A 
         MILITARY ENGAGEMENT WITH THE IRAQI REGIME.  THIS IS OUR 
         DUTY TO GET RID OF SADDAM HUSSEIN.  WE NEED SUPPORT FROM
         BEHIND.  WE NEED THE GENTLE PUSH IN THE SENSE OF 
         DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT.  WE NEED SUPPORT FROM BRITAIN AND 
         UNITED STATES TO DELEGITIMATIZE THE SADDAM HUSSEIN 
         REGIME AND TO HELP THE OPPOSITION GAIN INTERNATIONAL 
         CREDIBILITY AND TO GAIN STRENGTH TO WORK INSIDE IRAQ

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. MUSAWI DISMISSES CRITICISM OF THE OPPOSITION AS A FRACTURED 
MOVEMENT THAT LACKS COORDINATION, ORGANIZATION AND CLEAR AIMS.

               ///  OPT  //  MUSAWI THIRD ACT  ///

         THE IRAQI OPPOSITION IS DEFINITELY UNITED IN ITS 
         ULTIMATE AIM WHICH IS TO GET RID OF SADDAM HUSSEIN, TO 
         ESTABLISH A DEMOCRATIC REGIME IN IRAQ, TO HOLD 
         ELECTIONS, TO EASE SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE.   AS 
         FAR AS DIFFERENCES IN IDEOLOGY IS CONCERNED, IT HAS 
         ALWAYS EXISTED BETWEEN IRAQI POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE 
         OPPOSITION, THE SAME WAY IT DOES BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND 
         REPUBLICANS AND LABOR AND CONSERVATIVE PARTIES IN 
         BRITAIN. 

                        ///  END ACT  ///

THE IRAQI DISSIDENT SAYS THE DIFFERENT KURDISH, SHIITE AND SUNNI 
MUSLIM OPPOSITION MOVEMENTS WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING ON
MONDAY.(SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/JWH/KL

20-Nov-98 11:24 AM EST (1624 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.