DATE=12/31/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-224686

TITLE=U-S/IRAQ (L ONLY)

BYLINE=GIL BUTLER

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IRAQ MAY 

HAVE BEEN KILLED IN MASS EXECUTIONS OF OPPONENTS OF PRESIDENT 

SADDAM HUSSEIN.  V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE ON THE STORY.



TEXT:  THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS CREDIBLE 

REPORTS THAT IRAQ HAS RECENTLY EXECUTED HUNDREDS OR EVEN 

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF BEING OPPONENTS OF SADDAM 

HUSSEIN.



THERE ARE ALSO REPORTS THAT SOME OF THOSE PUT TO DEATH SHOWED 

CLEAR EVIDENCE OF TORTURE.



STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY CALLED ON IRAQ TO ALLOW 

U-N OFFICIALS INTO THE COUNTRY TO INVESTIGATE THE TWO PRISONS 

NEAR BAGHDAD WHERE THE SUMMARY EXECUTIONS ALLEGEDLY TOOK PLACE. 



                        /// FOLEY ACT ///



         THE REPORTS (OF EXECUTIONS) WE HAVE BEEN GETTING ARE 

         MULTIPLE -- SO THERE IS A BASIS CERTAINLY FOR 

         INVESTIGATING.  SECONDLY, THE REPORTS ARE OF SUCH A 

         HORRIFIC NATURE THAT THEY COMPEL AN INVESTIGATION.



                         /// END ACT ///



THE SPOKESMAN SAID MANY OF THOSE REPORTEDLY EXECUTED WERE SERVING

LONG PRISON TERMS ON CHARGES OF INSULTING THE REGIME OR BECAUSE 

THEY BELONGED TO AN OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY.



MR. FOLEY SAID THE REPORTS SUGGEST THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN IS FEELING

PRESSURE BECAUSE OF CONDITIONS INSIDE THE COUNTRY.



                        /// FOLEY ACT ///



         THE SITUATION IN IRAQ CERTAINLY HAS NOT IMPROVED SINCE 

         HIS WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST KUWAIT.  THE PLIGHT OF THE

         IRAQI PEOPLE HAS NOT IMPROVED DURING THAT PERIOD.  THERE

         IS BOUND TO BE INCREASING OPPOSITION, INCREASING ANGUISH

         INSIDE IRAQ, AND PERHAPS HE IS FEELING THE HEAT 

         POLITICALLY AND IS RESPONDING IN CHARACTERISTIC FORM.



                         /// END ACT ///



THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT MUST BE OBVIOUS TO THE 

PEOPLE OF IRAQ THAT THEIR ANGUISH IS DUE TO THE ACTIONS OF 

PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. (SIGNED)



NEB/MGB/RRM



31-Dec-97 4:51 PM EST (2151 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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