The Unites States plans to re-direct approximately $3.1 million in funds already committed to current Iraqi National Congress (INC) programs to support Iraqi opposition activities.
Consultation is currently underway with representatives of the INC regarding activities and amounts, answered a State Department representative to a question taken a recent briefing.
The Department of State is currently working with the INC on the transition of their operations from London to Baghdad. Funded activities include radio and television broadcasting at a time when it is critically important that Iraqis opposed to Saddam's regime take control of Iraq's airwaves.
In the days following the defeat of Iraq in 1991, a wave of opposition to Saddam Hussein's regime staged uprisings in northern and southern Iraq. The INC was formed when the two main Kurdish separatist militias — the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) participated in a June 1992 meeting in Vienna of nearly 200 delegates from dozens of opposition groups.
INC leader Ahmed Chalabi has been mentioned as a potential Iraqi head of state. Chalabi has said he does not want to head a provisional government but will continue to support the US campaign to oust Saddaam Hussein. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
