2 November 1998
Source: http://www.usia.gov/current/news/latest/98110201.tlt.html?/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml

USIS Washington File
_________________________________

02 November 1998

### TEXT: CLINTON ON SIGNING THE "IRAQ LIBERATION ACT OF 1998" OCT. 31

    (Backing elements advocating very different future for Iraq) (920)

    Washington -- President Clinton October 31 signed into law H.R. 4655,
    the "Iraq Liberation Act of 1998."

    "This Act," the President said, "makes clear that it is the sense of
    the Congress that the United States should support those elements of
    the Iraqi opposition that advocate a very different future for Iraq
    than the bitter reality of internal repression and external aggression
    that the current regime in Baghdad now offers.

    "Let me be clear," Clinton said, "what the U.S. objectives are:

    "The United States wants Iraq to rejoin the family of nations as a
    freedom-loving and law-abiding member. This is in our interest and
    that of our allies within the region.

    "The United States favors an Iraq that offers its people freedom at
    home. I categorically reject arguments that this is unattainable due
    to Iraq's history or its ethnic or sectarian make-up. Iraqis deserve
    and desire freedom like everyone else.

    The President said that the United States "looks forward to a
    democratically supported regime that would permit us to enter into a
    dialogue leading to the reintegration of Iraq into normal
    international life."

    Clnton noted that his Administration "has pursued, and will continue
    to pursue, these objectives through active application of all relevant
    United Nations Security Council resolutions. The evidence is
    overwhelming that such changes will not happen under the current Iraq
    leadership."

    The Iraq Liberation Act of 1998, he said, "provides additional,
    discretionary authorities under which my Administration can act to
    further the objectives I outlined above. There are, of course, other
    important elements of U.S. policy. These include the maintenance of
    U.N. Security Council support efforts to eliminate Iraq's prohibited
    weapons and missile programs and economic sanctions that continue to
    deny the regime the means to reconstitute those threats to
    international peace and security. United States support for the Iraqi
    opposition will be carried out consistent with those policy objectives
    as well."

    Following is the White House text:

    (begin text)

    THE WHITE HOUSE

    Office of the Press Secretary
    October 31, 1998

    STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

    Today I am signing into law H.R. 4655, the "Iraq Liberation Act of
    1998." This Act makes clear that it is the sense of the Congress that
    the United States should support those elements of the Iraqi
    opposition that advocate a very different future for Iraq than the
    bitter reality of internal repression and external aggression that the
    current regime in Baghdad now offers.

    Let me be clear on what the U.S. objectives are:

    The United States wants Iraq to rejoin the family of nations as a
    freedom-loving and law-abiding member. This is in our interest and
    that of our allies within the region.

    The United States favors an Iraq that offers its people freedom at
    home. I categorically reject arguments that this is unattainable due
    to Iraq's history or its ethnic or sectarian make-up. Iraqis deserve
    and desire freedom like everyone else.

    The United States looks forward to a democratically supported regime
    that would permit us to enter into a dialogue leading to the
    reintegration of Iraq into normal international life.

    My Administration has pursued, and will continue to pursue, these
    objectives through active application of all relevant United Nations
    Security Council resolutions. The evidence is overwhelming that such
    changes will not happen under the current Iraq leadership.

    In the meantime, while the United States continues to look to the
    Security Council's efforts to keep the current regime's behavior in
    check, we look forward to new leadership in Iraq that has the support
    of the Iraqi people. The United States is providing support to
    opposition groups from all sectors of the Iraqi community that could
    lead to a popularly supported government.

    On October 21, 1998, I signed into law the Omnibus Consolidated and
    Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, which made $8 million
    available for assistance to the Iraqi democratic opposition. This
    assistance is intended to help the democratic opposition unify, work
    together more effectively, and articulate the aspirations of the Iraqi
    people for a pluralistic, participa--tory political system that will
    include all of Iraq's diverse ethnic and religious groups. As required
    by the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 1998 (Public
    Law 105-174), the Department of State submitted a report to the
    Congress on plans to establish a program to support the democratic
    opposition. My Administration, as required by that statute, has also
    begun to implement a program to compile information regarding
    allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes by
    Iraq's current leaders as a step towards bringing to justice those
    directly responsible for such acts.

    The Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 provides additional, discretionary
    authorities
    under which my Administration can act to further the objectives I
    outlined above. There are, of course, other important elements of U.S.
    policy. These include the maintenance of U.N. Security Council support
    efforts to eliminate Iraq's prohibited weapons and missile programs
    and economic sanctions that continue to deny the regime the means to
    reconstitute those threats to international peace and security. United
    States support for the Iraqi opposition will be carried out consistent
    with those policy objectives as well.

    Similarly, U.S. support must be attuned to what the opposition can
    effectively make use of as it develops over time. With those
    observations, I sign H.R. 4655 into law.

    WILLIAM J.  CLINTON

    THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 31, 1998.

    (end text)