Bulletin de liaison etd'information - Institut kurde de Paris

Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro
de la Prensa-Baszn Özeti
Another scenario would be for Hussein's lieutenants to overthrow him. A history of violence within Hussein's own
family has led some to suggest that one of his sons, Uday Hussein, who runs the country's security apparatus,
could mount a coup. The question for Washington would be whether such an act would change anything for the
better.
"How far down into the Iraqi regime would we have to go before we found somebody who would be acceptable
to us?" Pike said. A military offensive against Iraq would also pose serious problems, particularly finding a base
in the region from which to launch it. It is almost certain, for example, that Saudi Arabia, which allowed U.S. troops
to use its bases during the Persian Gulf war, would not allow its territory to be used as a springboard for invading
Iraq.
Army Gen. Tommy Franks, who probably would command any military action against Iraq, was in Kuwait this
week amid speculation he was laying the groundwork for deployment of U.S. troops that would form the nucleus
of an invasion foree. Franks denied such speculation. Vice President Dick Cheney is set to depart on a tour of
Middle East and Persian Gulf countries next month, although administration officials insist that the trip is not
intended to line up support for possible military action against Iraq.
Xinhua February 13,2002
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Iranian First Vice President Rejects Change of Iraqi Regime
DAMASCUS, February 13 (Xinhuanet) - Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said here on
Wednesday that his country was opposed to change of the Iraqi regime in line with a U.S. formula. Aref made the
remarks after a meeting with Syrian Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam who underscored the necessity of legitimate
resistance against foreign occupation. Aref told reporters that his visit to Damascus was aimed at discussing
with the "Syrian brothers" the developments of the regional and international situations as a prelude to adopting
common positions.
On the recent U.S. threats against Iran, Aref said "the threats are not the first of their kind."
"The threats that have been going on since the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran adopted a tougher nature
after U.S. President George W. Bush took office," he added, noting that the Iranian position on the threats was the
same as it used to be. On the position of his country if the United States tried to change the Iraqi regime through
military foree, the Iranian leader said "We are against any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other countries."
"We believe that the future of a country should be determined by its own sons," he pointed out. Bush described
Iraq, Iran, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in his State of the Union address recently
as "the axes of evil." On the question of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance group, Aref said "the issue was not
discussed with the Syrian leaders." However, he said both Iran and Syria supported the national resistance in the
region. Replying a question on the Iranian-Iraqi rapprochement after the U.S. threats to the two neighbors, Aref
said the Iranian foreign policy always sought to put aside the old differences while trying to solve them in a friendly
way in order to build a peaceful prosperous future.
He expressed hope that the talks between Iran and Iraq would lead to positive results as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Khaddam told reporters that the recent U.S. threats to Iran have been there a long time ago. "Our firm
position on the threats is more important than the threats themselves," he said. "Resistance against foreign occupation
is a legitimate right for all nations. There is no power that can deprive any occupied country of this right or
undermine it," he added. The visit of the Iranian first vice president to Syria is of special significance as it reasserts
the strategic alliance between Iran and Syria after the increasing U.S. pressures on Syria to stop backing Hizbollah.
The visit also followed the U.S. accusations against Iran of being part of the "axes of evil."
Aref arrived here on Wednesday morning as head of a senior political economic delegation for a three-day visit to
Syria.
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