Saddam Husayn
MEMCOH: Meeting o
Summary; Duringwo and a half hour meeting,
a wide range of issues were covered, including US-Iraqi relations, the .Arab-Israeli conflict, the Iran-Iraq war and Iraq's position on international terrorism.
President Husayn expressed a desire for improved US-Iraqi relations, saying ic was unnatural for Iraq not to have diplomatic relatione with one of the two superpowers. He criticised the US foT its "unbalanced" support of Israel, and for allowing Israel and other allies to supply weapons to Iran.
With respect to the Arab-Israeli conflict, he indicated that "no responsible Arab leader" included the destruction of Israel in his policy. He stated several tines that whatever hat was acceptable to the PLC- was acceptable to Iraq.
vehemently denied that Iraq support to terrorist movements.
providing any
Relations
Husayn began his remarks by indicating that America needs to understand Iraq better. Contrary to American perception, Iraq is not pro-Soviet and does not hate America.
In Husayn's view, the countries of the region need to undertake development. The means for development, growth and progress are in America and the West, not the Soviet Union.
Thereain reasons for tbe poor state of US-Iraqi relations. First, the US has made the mistake of asking Its friends "to become lackeys without any freedom .to act".' In recent years, Che US has tried to alter Its behaviour. Second, the United States' support for Israel has been an impediment' to relations.
In response to Solarz's observation that many Arab countries which
share Iraq's view about US support for Israel nevertheless maintain
diplomatic relations vlth the US, Including Algeria and Syria.
Husayn replied that it was not correct or natural for Iraq
to have diplomatic relations severed with one of the two superpowers.
Before the start of the Iran-Iraq war, Iraq was reconsidering
Its relationship with America. But then the war came. Under
these circumstances, if Iraq resumed diplomatic relations with
the US, the Iraqi people would imagine chat they had been resumed
because we needed you. This is not a good basis for a relationship.
ATE: MAY
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Husayn stated tha: the Arabs don't hove the right to expect that Aaerlca should stand entirely on their side. But they do haveight to ask Aaeric* to havealanced position. Israel has been expanding at the expense of the Arabs. In light of this, the US stand is "unbalanced and unjust".
Solars asked Husayn if the resolution of tha Arab-Israeli dispute and tha creationasting peace required Israeli withdrawal to7 borders and the right of the Palestinian people on the West Bank and Gaza to self-determination, or does the resolution of the conflict require instead the establishmentecular democratic state in the Weat Bank, the Gaza strip, and what ia now Israel. the elimination of Israelionist entity)? Husayn responded thatingle responsible Arab leader put that in his policy". the apecific elementsolution, he stated: "Anything the PLC rejects, we reject. Anything the PLO accepts, we accept."
Whee asked about participatlon Id the Camp David process, Husayn called it " a hateful.name" .and noted that Camp David had been rejected by all tbe Arabs except Egypt.
Solars asked if Iraq .would accept arrangements whereby a Palestinian
entity oa the West Bank and Gaza was linked with Jordan. Husayn
said this wouldn't solve the problem but would rather create
problems between Jordan and the Palestinian people. However,
If the Palestinians chose, without any pressure and of their own
free will, to accept such a relationship, that was acceptable
to Iraq.
Husayn also warned that the United States would be rave mistake" if it thought that Jordan could beood state for the Palestinians. If the East Bank became a Palestinian state, all Arab entities would feel threatened.
Iran-Iraq War
Husayn expressed the belief that the United States was not doing enough to try to stop tht war. When Solarz noted that the US was not in a good position to act, given- the state of Its relations with both countries, Husayn strongly disagreed. He said that if the US, and also tha Soviet Union, wanted to end tha war, as superpowers, they could do so.- However, Iraq was not confident that the superpowers wanted to end th* war.
Husayn criticized the.US for allowing arms to be delivered from its "friends" to Iran over the past two years. This included not only Israel but also NATO members. Solarz suggested that Israel might have sold Iran arms that it had produced itself, rather than US-manufactured arms. Husayn said there was evidence that Israel was transferring US arms. When Solan pressed for this evidence, he said that if the US didn't have this evidence, it should replace its bead of iotelligence.
Solarz Baked Iraq's position on ie various condition* that Iran haa set for ending the wan Concerning an Irnql admission of guilt about starting the wor, Husuyn nald that Iraq had "sufficient documents to prove that Iranian aggression began the war. Iraq ia so confident of its position on this point that it is willing to submit tha Issue to arbitration In the United Ration*, the Ialamlc Conference, the Nonallgned Movement or elsewhere.
Until such time as it was clear who the aggressor was, lt was "irresponsible" to talk about reparations.
On the question of withdrawal to the International border, Iraq had already done this. But after it withdrew, Iran crossed Iraq,'s border and tried 5 times to take Basra.
With respect to the Iranian demand that thousands of Iranians be peraltted to return to Iraq, Husayn stated that this amounted to interference :with Iraqi sovereignty.
In response.to a question about what will happen in Iran dies, Husayn noted that either before or after he wanted Iran to be united, coherent, prosperous, nonallgned. It was up to the people of Iran to choose commented further that he thought more harm
had been done to Iran during Khomeini's rule than would be done to Iran by hisowever, he thought the war had to be ended before Khomeini's death, because Cher* might not be a leader strong enough to end the war after him. "Once the war is over, Khomeini should dl* the next day."
Iraqi Support for Terrorism
Husayn stated that Iraq was against terrorism. Terrorism will not serve the Palestinian cause, although it may increase because of events In Lebanon. He has told all Palestinian organizations that terrorismackwards means.
It Is true that Iraq gives identity cards to its "Palestinian brothers" who come to Iraq. However, ifalestinian with an Iraqi identity card leaves Iraq to carry out a terrorist act elsewhere, is it Iraq's fault?
Original document.
Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: