"The Iraqi leadership should decide to give up power in Iraq and to leave Iraq," the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, declared in a statement issued here (a summit meeting of Arab leaders), saying he wanted to propose "a way out of this complicated and dangerous crisis."
...Saudi Arabian foreign minister, Saud al-Faisal, said at a news conference moments after the sheik's proposal first circulated inside the conference hall. "I call it an idea. It is not an initiative."
He added, however, that the proposal had been made in good faith, suggesting that the idea had broader support among some Arab leaders.
"We are sure, knowing the Emirates and its president, Sheik Zayed, that they only care about the integrity of the Arab nation," he said.
As the prospects of war have mounted, President Bush and his aides have repeatedly said that Mr. Hussein's departure could avert war. On Thursday, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell suggested that the Arab League should consider asking Mr. Hussein to leave, or at least call forcefully for Iraq to comply with United Nations resolutions.
nytimes.com |
