WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislation backed by key Republicans would give nearly $100 million to Iraqis trying to bring down Iraqi
President Saddam Hussein.
''The purpose of this legislation is to finally and irrevocably commit the United States to the removal from power of the regime
headed by Saddam Hussein,'' said Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y., chairman of the House International Relations Committee.
On Tuesday, Gilman and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., introduced bills that would authorize the president to give $97
million to Iraqi rebels and $2 million to Radio Free Iraq, set up under earlier legislation. Congress has either approved or is
considering another $58 million, mostly in humanitarian and political assistance to Saddam's opponents, who operate mainly
outside Iraq.
The actual total that would go to the rebels would be determined by the president. The only direct requirement of the bill is that he
designate which groups would be eligible for the aid.
''It is time to move beyond political support to direct military assistance,'' Lott said in introducing the legislation.
''This is the 55th day without weapons inspections in Iraq,'' Lott said. ''The problem in Iraq is not the people of Iraq; the problem is
Saddam Hussein. And we should have a direct, active, overt support of the opposition that would lead to the removal of Saddam
Hussein from office.''
The Clinton administration had no immediate response to the Republican move that would, in effect, openly commit the United
States to overthrowing Saddam — a tack the administration has resisted. The bills have some Democratic support, however, and
Lott said he consulted with the administration in drawing up the Senate measure.
In the past, the White House has opposed direct aid to the Iraqi opposition on grounds it could lead to further U.S. obligations. The
groups themselves also have preferred covert assistance that would not openly identify them as U.S.-backed. The CIA aided Iraqi
resistance groups after the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and Congress earlier approved some humanitarian and political support for
Kurdish and other opposition groups operating outside Iraq.
Separate pending bills would authorize $48 million for political and humanitarian support for the Iraqi opposition. Another $5 million
was earlier appropriated for support of the political opposition and another $5 million to set up Radio Free Iraq.
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