DATE=11/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242062
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE STEPPING UP THEIR BEHIND THE 
SCENES EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN DOMESTIC OPPOSITION TO IRAQI 
PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.  FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S 
KYLE KING REPORTS. 



TEXT:  STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF 
STATE MARTIN INDYK IS LIKELY TO MEET AGAIN WITH IRAQI OPPOSITION 
LEADERS, WHO HAVE BEEN HOLDING TALKS WITH BRITISH OFFICIALS IN 
LONDON. 

MR. INDYK, WHO IS VISITING LONDON AND PARIS TO DISCUSS THE 
ADMINISTRATION'S E/F/F/O/R/T/S, HELD AN EARLIER ROUND OF TALKS 
WITH IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK. 

OFFICIALS SAY THE TALKS ARE PART OF A THREE PART ADMINISTRATION 
EFFORT THAT WILL INCLUDE THE NAMING OF A NEW STATE DEPARTMENT 
COORDINATOR FOR IRAQ. 

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION IS
ALSO STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO DEVELOP EVIDENCE THAT COULD BE USED 
IF AN IRAQI WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IS EVEN CREATED. 

                       /// RUBIN ACT /// 

         I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY WE ARE GIVING A GREATER PUSH TO
         THE IDEA OF DEVELOPING THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE 
         EVIDENTIARY BASE IN THE CASE OF WAR CRIMES THAT THE 
         IRAQI REGIME COMMITTED. 

                        /// END ACT /// 

THE U-S CONGRESS HAS PUT ASIDE TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR THAT 
EFFORT, WHILE 97 MILLION HAS BEEN DESIGNATED TO HELP IRAQI 
OPPOSITION GROUPS. 

OFFICIALS SAY THE GOAL IS TO BRING ABOUT A GOVERNMENT THAT WILL 
BRING IRAQ BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/KBK/WDC/PT



23-Nov-98 6:19 PM EST (2319 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.