*EPF502 08/30/2002
Text: U.S. Supports Efforts of Opposition Groups to Change Regime in Iraq
(State Dept says U.S. has made no decision about use of force against Saddam Hussein) (210)

Following is question taken at the August 29 State Department briefing about U.S. support of Iraqi opposition activities and the response from the Office of the Spokesman:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release August 29, 2002
2002/751

Question Taken at Daily Press Briefing of Thursday, August 29, 2002

IRAQ: IRAQI OPPOSITION TO CONVENE CONFERENCE IN THE NETHERLANDS

Question: Is the Iraqi opposition meeting in the Netherlands sponsored or supported by the U.S. and, if so, is it intended to announce a "government-in-exile?"

Answer:

We look forward to the upcoming political conference that is being planned by some key Iraqi opposition groups. It will include the broad range of organizations and voices that make up the Iraqi opposition community. At present, we have not been approached to fund a conference in the Netherlands.

We applaud the efforts of the Iraqi opposition in their coordination and cooperation with each other and in their work towards a regime change in Iraq that results is a democratic, representative government, at peace with its neighbors, and ready to lead Iraq to rejoin the family of nations.

At this point, the President has made no decision on the use of force or military action in Iraq; therefore, any discussion of future governments by us at this time would be premature.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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