Iraqi dissidents prepare for a post-Saddam regime

AFP via The Times of India ^ | April 11 2002

[knighthawk]

WASHINGTON: Iraqi opposition representatives wrapped up two days of preparations for a future conference where experts will draft a programme for "a better Iraq under a different government," a US State Department official has said.

The meeting discussed procedural aspects of the broader conference, which is likely to be held in coming months at an as-yet undetermined venue, the State Department source said yesterday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"The purpose (of the planning is for) is an experts' conference, a broad gathering, to discuss the practical steps for a better Iraq under a different government. It is not an opposition conference, but an experts' conference," said the source.

The meeting was sponsored by the State Department, whose representative was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Near East Affairs Ryan Crocker. It was organised by the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank represented by David Mack, former deputy assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs (1990-1993).

A participant said that the nine Iraqi groups who intended to send a representative were the US-backed Iraqi National Congress, the National Accord Movement, the two main Kurdish factions -- Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Kurdistan Democratic Party -- in addition to a pro-monarchy group and independents.

The main Iraqi Islamist opposition group, the Tehran-based Supreme Assembly for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, had earlier declined to send a delegate to Washington.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[mikeIII]

Jumping the gun a bit, wouldn't you say?

[McGavin999]

Nope, it's called planning ahead. It's not a question of "if" it will happen, it's a question of "when".

[mikeIII]

Just to be clear, jumping the gun is supposed to mean it is premature, and that I'd like to see some movement toward bringing Saddam down first.