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26080583
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Iraq 1996
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26080583
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Iraq 1996
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collections
Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Margaret “Maggie” Williams' Subject Files
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26080583
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42-t-2194630-20130359S-Seg2-017-011-2015
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Now file
1996
IRaq
Basic Rationale
Saddam Hussein has exploited internal conflict among the Kurds of
northern Iraq by aligning himself with one faction to attack
another with ties to Iran. There have been significant
causalities, including many civilians. His forces now threaten
to take further actions in northern Iraq.
The United States has worked hard for years to help the two major
Kurdish parties overcome their differences. It is tragic that
the Kurdish leaders refused to do so.
But there is a broader significance to the Iraqi army's seizure
of Irbil.
Saturday, Saddam Hussein's victims were the Kurds. At other
times, they have been other Iraqi minority groups. Twice, they
have been Iraq's neighbors.
In short, Saddam Saturday repeated a pattern we have seen before.
He is ready at any time to use force to achieve his ends. He is
a threat to his own people, to his neighbors and to the peace of
the region.
If there is not a firm response, he will have established that he
can act with impunity, fueling his recklessness and regional
ambitions.
Saddam's actions threaten our interest in the peace and stability
of the region. Our response must take into account not just
Saddam's latest resort to force, but this overall threat he
represents to U.S. interests.
First, our response demonstrates to Saddam Hussein that he
will pay a price for resorting to force;
Second, this new example of his recklessness requires further
actions to reduce the threat he poses to his neighbors.
Congressional Talking Points
In response to Saddam Hussein's attack on the Kurds of
northern Iraq, last night the U.S. has carried out air
strikes against Iraqi air defenses and related military
systems south of Bagdad. We also are acting to expand the
southern Iraqi No Fly Zone.
The purpose of these actions is twofold. First, Saddam must
pay a price for his attack on the Kurds. If there are no
consequences for his latest recklessness, his recklessness
will only increase. Second, by extending the No Fly Zone
and eliminating air defense assets south of Bagdad, we will
reduce the threat he poses to his neighbors. This serves
our strategic interests over the longer term.
The U.S. has worked hard for years to help the two major
Kurdish parties overcome their differences. It is tragic
that the Kurdish leaders refused to do so, allowing Saddam
to align himself with one Kurdish faction to attack another.
There is no evidence to support Iraqi claims that it is
withdrawing.
But there is a broader significance to the Iraqi army's
seizure of Irbil.
Today, Saddam Hussein's victims are the Kurds. At other
times, they have been other Iraqi minority groups. Twice,
they have been Iraq's neighbors.
In short, Saddam is repeating the pattern we have seen
before. He is ready at any time to use force to achieve his
ends, threatening his own people, his neighbors and the
peace of the region. If we don't respond firmly he will
know that he can act with impunity.
We seek your support for these steps.
The President will make an announcement in about an hour and
the Department of Defense will be providing a detailed
military briefing. We are prepared to provide detailed
briefings to you or your staff as well.