This file is copyright of Jens Schriver (c) It originates from the Evil House of Cheat More essays can always be found at: --- http://www.CheatHouse.com --- ... and contact can always be made to: Webmaster@cheathouse.com -------------------------------------------------------------- Essay Name : 811.txt Uploader : Jennings Email Address : Language : English Subject : Politics Title : Iraq: U.S. as International Police Grade : 85% School System : Community College Country : USA Author Comments : Teacher Comments : Date : 10/15/96 Site found at : internet search -------------------------------------------------------------- Since the Gulf War, the United States have continued to conduct covert military operations in Iraq, most of which have involved the CIA. Their goal was to bring about the demise of Saddam Hussein. Many attempts have been made to over- throw the dictator usually ending with dismal results. Even though the world does need policing, the United States or any other Nation or State, is not solely suited to the responsibility. "Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator is a ruthless despot who has brought enormous misery on his own people. It is a pity he remains in power..." (Finley 27). When the subject is Iraq, the United States still feel a need to act as International Police. Saddam's paranoia about plots to over-throw him has meant the death of many. One incident caused a Squadron Commander in the Iraqi army to bribe a truck driver to sneak him out of Baghdad after discovering that Iraqi Intelligence had been to his fathers home asking about an alleged coup plot to assassinate Hussein. After fleeing Baghdad, the Commander walked twenty five miles across Iraqi army lines to a Kurdish defector camp. This camp was set up in 1991 by the United States, Britain and France. Located in Northern Iraq, its primary intent was to protect the 3.5 million Kurds from attacks by Saddam Hussein - who retaliated to the Kurdish rebellion against Baghdad near the end of the Gulf War. The "safe haven", encompassing over 14,000 square miles, also accommodates defectors from the Iraqi army (Cooperman 59). Hussein thoroughly purged his operations, executing hundreds of his military officers who he felt were plotting against him. A splinter group that split from the Kurdish rebels, calling themselves the Kurdish Democratic Party, and backed by Iraqi fighters, staged an assault on the defector camp killing hundreds of suspected spies, confiscating computers, broadcast equipment and printing presses that were later destroyed by Hussein's military members if unable to be put to use. All this equipment was provided by the CIA. The support of this defector camp is said to be "...the largest American-funded covert operation since the Afghanistan War against the Soviet Union." (50). "...says Michael Dunn, editor of Estimate, a Washington based newsletter on the Middle East, 'The side now mopping with Saddam is the one we were closest with. Are we now going to attack the very Kurds we have been protecting for five years?'..." (Cooperman 50). The CIA also helped an organization called the Iraqi National Congress, an organization that broadcasts radio and television propaganda; based out of London, England, this opposition group produces videos and radio programs that pin-point the scandalous and evil ways of Saddam Hussein and the political necessity of his demise. The Iraqi National Accord, another opposition group, were channeled technical information by United States Intelligence hoping that they could help Iraqi military insiders stage a revolt sometime in the future (Cooperman 60). Until recently the CIA had four or five American agents working undercover in Kurdistan. The American station chief, only referred to as "Bob," pressed Kurdish rebels to mount an offensive against Iraqi troops, promising air support from U.S. military fighter planes. The support from the United States never materialized leaving the Kurdish people to suffer shelling in retaliation to their attack (Cooperman 59). Even after failing to supply the Kurdish army with the needed back-up the CIA has continued to support and direct a small army of Iraqi defectors this year. Having said that, at this moment in time, all covert operations are in disarray. Those alleged to have worked with the CIA claim they have been abandoned. Possibly experiencing a rare state of compassion, Hussein offered "general amnesty" for all Kurdish people but stated that it did not apply to those who had worked for "foreign organizations." (60) With the exertion of military force he has made it very clear as to what will happen to those who may be planning an over- throw or to those who may rely on CIA support (59). Saddam continues to build his defenses. Weaponry has been confiscated in the past and more recently advanced missile guidance equipment, high-tech machine tools, used in the manufacture of chemical weapons and substances, have been confiscated from Iraq by United Nations investigators. The equipment bears Russian identification though it is yet unclear whether it was sanctioned by Russia or as a result of black market trade ("Missile Equipment Found" 32). In this case, where chemical warfare is the issue, the United Nations had every right to step in and use the powers that they have. After threats made by Iraq to fire upon United States aircraft patrolling the no-fly-zone, a missile attack targeting Iraqi air defense posts was ordered by President Clinton. "Because of the attack, two of Hussein's Republican Guard units based in the expanded no-fly-zone are now 'uncovered' by Iraqi air defense. 'They have lost the element of surprise... We have materially reduced Hussein's ability to mount a threat.' claims a senior U.S. official." (Cooperman 50). The reaction to this missile attack has not necessarily negative but its been reported that the side effects may not be favorable. "Although they (the U.S.) are undertaken to make Saddam behave, the assaults ordered by Clinton have the unfortunate effect of strengthening the Iraqi dictators standing as a domestic hero..." (Finley 27) was how Finley viewed it. Further along in his article he mentioned that further assaults would strengthen Saddam's domestic standings because it would instigate propaganda portraying America as Iraq's foremost enemy; also stated by Finley "As the Vietnam war demonstrated, once guns are fired, an upward spiral of violence is almost certain to follow." (27). Is the United States really helping the situation in Iraq? Or are we just vying for attention? Do we need to leave problems that are not our own in the hands of those they really belong to? There are those who would tend to think so. "The United States is once again trying to act as world policeman, and, in this case, even trying to correct abuses within a sovereign state." (Finley 27) --------------------------------------------------------------