Iraqi National Congress Leader Reaffirms Commitment to Democracy

By Benjamin Gross
Washington File Staff Writer

US STATE DEPARTMENT

August 9, 2002

Washington -- Sharif Ali Bin Al Hussein, spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress, told reporters August 8 that opposition groups in Iraq are prepared to play an active role in the transition to a democratic regime.

"The Iraqi opposition will ensure the territorial integrity of Iraq, the continuation of its institutions, and will reestablish democracy and the rule of law in Iraq," Al Hussein said at an August 8 press conference in Washington.

The first cousin of the last Hashemite King of Iraq, Al Hussein and other leading members of the Iraqi opposition were to meet with State and Defense Department officials August 9 to discuss their proposals for a democratic Iraq.

"We welcome this opportunity to present our case to the United States government in a united fashion and with a single voice and to defend the rights and hopes of the Iraqi people," he said.

Al Hussein emphasized the unpopularity of Saddam Hussein's government and the necessity of regime change. He said the celebrations following Saddam Hussein's defiant speech earlier that day were carried out at gunpoint.

"The entirety of the Iraqi population is opposed to Saddam Hussein. Nobody in Iraq will defend the regime, including the military: both the regular army and Republican Guard. ... All of Iraq has suffered for many years from the oppression of Saddam Hussein's regime, and there is not a single person out there in Iraq that will fight or defend him," he said.

Al Hussein noted that other countries throughout the region, including Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the Persian Gulf states, have echoed these sentiments, but oppose a U.S. military campaign in the region out of concern for the safety of the Iraqi people. Therefore, he suggested, should the United States choose to deploy forces against Saddam Hussein, it must emphasize its decision to target only the government power structure and avoid damaging civilian infrastructure.

However, before deciding to get involved militarily, Al Hussein warned, the international community must work closely with opposition groups to form a blueprint to allow for a smooth transfer of power to an interim government.

"We refuse categorically to substitute one dictator for another. This is not an option for the opposition, this is not an option for the Iraqi people, and we don't believe it should be an option for anybody else in the international community or the region," he said.

The exact shape of the future Iraqi government has yet to be established, although several opposition groups have presented ideas ranging from a constitutional monarchy to an American-style republic. Al Hussein says that the fundamental issue is not the exact shape of the government, "but the return of democracy, and to give the Iraqi people fair treatment."

"What we want is to give the Iraqi people the opportunity to go to the ballot box and to choose the system of government it wants and the government that rules them," he said.

Rejecting concerns that Iraq's ethnic and political diversity will hinder the rebuilding process, Al Hussein said the Iraqi opposition remained united in its goal of establishing a democratic government. He said Iraq has vital assets to build a democracy.

"It does have existing government institutions. It does have structures. It does have an educated population. It does have immense wealth and resources. Only inaction would make nation-building in Iraq difficult," Al Hussein noted.

Still, given past experiences with Saddam Hussein's government and the continued operation of Iraqi biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons programs, Al Hussein warned that the international community could not afford to ignore this threat forever. He said the Iraqi opposition will rise up against Saddam Hussein's regime in the event of a U.S. attack.

"We in the opposition that you see outside, and the opposition that you don't see inside, will rise up against Saddam in the event of a U.S. attack," he said. We will not sit back and wait for events. We will lead events. And we are attempting now to lead the political issue as well, because it really is our issue. It is about the Iraqi people ... and we reserve the right to decide what form of government comes after Saddam Hussein."