This was the Iraqi transcript of the conversation between Saddam,
Tariq Azizhis, and April Glaspie, the American Ambassador. It was
translated by the New York Times. ------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Sept. 23rd, 1990
[HP: Although we "backed" Iraq, apparently it was not enough to quench
the desire for "better relations.]
GLASPIE: As you know, he (the president) directed the United States
Administration to reject the suggestion of implementing trade
sanctions.
HUSSEIN: There is nothing left for us to buy from America. Only wheat.
Because every time we want to buy something, they say it is forbidden.
I am afraid that one day you will say, "You are going to make
gunpowder out of wheat."
GLASPIE: I have a direct instruction from the President to seek better
relations with Iraq.
---------------------------------------------------------------
[HP: As we are told constantly, the US gave the "green light" to
Saddam to invade Kuwait. Here is the "green light]
GLASPIE: I think I understand this. I have lived here for years. I
admire your extraordinary efforts to rebuild your country. I know you
need funds. We understand that and our opinion is that you should have
the opportunity to rebuild your country. But we have no opinion on the
Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait.
I was in the American Embassy in Kuwait during the late 60's. The
instruction we had during this period was that we should express no
opinion on this issue and that the issue is not associated with
America. James Baker has directed our official spokesmen to emphasize
this instruction. We hope you can solve this problem using any
suitable methods via Klibi or via President Mubarak. All that we hope
is that these issues are solved quickly.
[And]
GLASPIE: Frankly, we can see only that you have deployed massive
troops in the south. Normally that would not be any of our business.
But when this happens in the context of what you said on your national
day, then when we read the details in the two letters of the Foreign
Minister, then when we see the Iraqi point of view that the measures
taken by the U.A.E. and Kuwait is, in the final analysis, parallel to
military aggression against Iraq, then it would be reasonable for me
to be concerned.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----
[HP: The "suitable methods" were talks with those Arab leaders. In
fact during the conversation they discussed the upcoming talks. There
was certainly no "green light" given for an invasion of Kuwait. Here's
more on the suitable methods.]
GLASPIE: Mr. President, it would be helpful if you could give us an
assessment of the effort made by your Arab brothers and whether they
have achieved anything.
HUSSEIN: On this subject, we agreed with President Mubarak that the
Prime Minister of Kuwait would meet with the deputy chairman of the
Revolution Command Council in Saudi Arabia, because the Saudis
initiated contact with us, aided by President Mubarak's efforts. He
just telephoned me a short while ago to say the Kuwaitis have agreed
to that suggestion.
GLASPIE: Congratulations.
HUSSEIN: A protocol meeting will be held in Saudi Arabia. Then the
meeting will be transferred to Baghdad for deeper discussion directly
between Kuwait and Iraq. We hope we will reach some result. We hope
that the long-term view and the real interests will overcome Kuwaiti
greed.
GLASPIE: May I ask you when you expect Sheik Saad to come to Baghdad?
HUSSEIN: I suppose it would be on Saturday or Monday at the latest. I
told brother Mubarak that the agreement should be in Baghdad Saturday
or Sunday. You know that brother Mubarak's visits have always been a
good omen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------
[The Ambassador - I want to say Ambassadress, but that would probably
be sexist or something - was concerned about troop movements toward
Kuwait, but pleased about talks to defuse the situation. So, the
'green light' was given to the talks that were taking place. ]
********************************************
Henry George School of Social Science
of Los Angeles
Box 655 Tujunga CA 91042
Tel: 818 352-4141 -- Fax: 818 353-2242
http://haledward.home.comcast.net
********************************************
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.552 / Virus Database: 344 - Release Date: 12/15/2003
