ON MEETING WITH IRAQIS


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(New York, New York)

For Immediate Release
September 14, 2000

STATEMENT BY
MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT, SECRETARY OF STATE

ON MEETING WITH IRAQIS
New York, New York
September 14, 2000

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT:  I was pleased to meet today with a
distinguished and diverse delegation of Iraqis who are here in
New York to advocate the interests of the Iraqi people during the
United Nations General Assembly.  We hear so many around the
world expressing compassion for the Iraqi people.  Anyone who
really cares about the Iraqi people, and the recovery of their
once-great country, must listen to free Iraqis like these who
bravely speak the truth.  It is sad that some, instead, listen
only to representatives of the regime that oppresses the Iraqis,
that misrepresents them, and that threatens and insults their
neighbors.

The United States listens carefully to the Iraqi advocates.
Today, they proposed ways to hold the Baghdad regime accountable
to this world body, and to the people of Iraq.  They offered
ideas to ease Iraqi suffering, while making the sanctions work
better against the regime that defies its international legal
obligations.  And they again emphasized the central importance of
Security Council Resolution 688, which condemned Baghdad,s
oppression of its own people as a threat to regional stability.

This group includes real heroes.  The courage of one of these
Iraqi visitors is particularly exemplary.  General Najeeb
al-Salihi refused to submit to the unspeakable blackmail of the
Baghdad regime, directed not only at him, but also at his family,
because he has written and spoken the truth about the causes of
Iraq,s humiliation.  He stands for the millions of Iraqis who
have sacrificed beyond human comprehension as they refuse to
submit to oppression.

The United States salutes the courage of Iraqis everywhere in the
Opposition.  I wish them success in presenting to the world the
true hopes and needs of the Iraqi people, and ultimately in
bringing democracy and the rule of law to their country. (###)