The Hindu : Iraqi exiles in Britain to step up campaign

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2002

International

International

Iraqi exiles in Britain to step up campaign

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON AUG. 27. In what is seen as a sign of their growing self-confidence, boosted by tacit British and U.S. support, dissident Iraqi army officers living in Britain have stepped up their campaign against the Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, by deciding to raise a volunteer force capable of fighting along with U.S. troops in the event of an attack on Iraq.

The London-based Iraqi Military Council, formed after a conference of Iraqi exiles here a few weeks ago, has already launched a recruitment drive and Major-General Tawfiq al-Yassiri who is spearheading the campaign is quoted as saying that up to 200,000 Iraqis worldwide are expected to sign up. The campaign would target able-bodied and motivated Iraqis in Western countries, and the Arab world.

The drive was launched last week with an advertisement in an Arabic weekly "al-Mutamar'', published from London, and a spokesman claimed that the response had been overwhelming.

Those, who are selected, would be given military training by exiled generals associated with the Military Council.

Gen al-Yassiri, who led an army revolt against Saddam Hussein in 1991, said there were over a 1,000 exiled Iraqi army generals and many still commanded loyalty among their former colleagues, who were likely to defect once they were sure that there was a real chance of toppling the present regime in Baghdad.

``Iraqi troops will defect more easily if they are approached by their former comrades,'' he told The Times which also quoted him as saying that he and other members of the military council hoped to meet U.S. officials soon to discuss "military training and cooperation''.

The move, which is claimed to have U.S. backing, came as Britain sought to play down speculation about an imminent military intervention in Iraq. The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said that if Mr. Hussein allowed unfettered access to U.N. weapons' inspectors "then the circumstances will change''.

``The best way of trying to isolate and reduce the threat (from Iraq) is by the introduction of weapons inspectors,'' he said distancing himself from the oft-repeated U.S. position favouring a "regime change'' irrespective of whether or not Iraq allows weapons' inspectors back into the country. Meanwhile, as opposition to British support for any attack on Iraq grew a group of women Labour MPs announced plans to visit Baghdad to mobilise international support for lifting economic sanctions against Iraq.

The group would highlight the widespread concern over U.S. military moves against Iraq. Alice Mahon, a radical Labour backbencher, said the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, "has got to listen'' to the anti-war concerns.

"He is facing overwhelming opposition in the Labour movement. He is seriously at risk politically,'' she said amid reports of a simmering revolt within the Cabinet over the issue.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

Violence won't end, says ETA's political wing

Opinion in U.K. divided over Advani's apology

Putin will bring defence package for India

Sri Lanka for JWG on economic ties

Defer de-proscribing LTTE: clergy

Iraqi exiles in Britain to step up campaign

U.S. hails China's missile curbs

Straw backs E.U. Constitution

Pak., France pact on funding of defence training