Iraqi Opposition Gets $4 million in U.S. Support

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

October 2, 2000

STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS

On September 29, The Department of State concluded a cooperative
agreement with the Iraqi National Congress providing four million
dollars to advance the Iraqi National Congress' ongoing operations and
establish new ones. Activities to be supported by these funds include
strengthening the Iraqi National Congress organization and
infrastructure and managing training carried out last summer under the
Iraq Liberation Act. The Iraqi National Congress' plans for new
activities under this funding include:

-- A public information program, consisting of radio and television
broadcasting, publishing a weekly newspaper, and expanded Internet
activities;

-- Preparations for humanitarian relief operations;

-- Advocacy missions to international organizations, conferences, and
foreign governments to promote the aspirations of the Iraqi people and
hold the current Baghdad regime accountable before the Iraqi people
and international law;

-- Training in protective skills;

-- Opening branch offices in other locations as may prove possible.

The four million dollars comes from eight million dollars in Economic
Support Funds earmarked by Congress to support the Iraqi opposition. A
new agreement to provide the remaining four million dollars under this
earmark will be subject to further consultation and another
notification to Congress.