AJCommittee Praises American Leadership Role In Confronting Iraq

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 10 November 1997

In a letter sent to President Clinton today, the American Jewish Committee expressed strong support for American leadership in "dealing with the crisis" brought on by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"We wish to express our support for the determination demonstrated by the Security Council," stated the letter signed by AJC President Robert S. Rifkind and Executive Director David A. Harris, "that President Saddam Hussein comply with the writ of the United Nations Special Commission charged with eliminating Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. There is little doubt that the firm stand taken to date has been fortified by the leadership offered by your Administration."

The letter continued, in part: "We understand that there are those - whether to profit from renewed commercial activity with Baghdad or to see the remarkable coalition forged in Desert Storm collapse - who would like to see the United States abandon its leadership position in the United Nations that, since 1991, has been able to constrain Iraq. Your resistance to such short-term expediency, as well as your clear vision of the dire consequences of an emboldened Iraqi war machine under Saddam Hussein, merit the full support of the American people. You have ours, Mr. President, and we pledge our unstinting effort to help achieve the broadest possible consensus for firm U.S. leadership in dealing with this crisis."

In conjunction with the recent opening of the 52nd General Assembly of the United Nations, American Jewish Committee leaders held meetings with foreign ministers and other top officials from 46 nations. High on the agenda at those meetings was AJC's ongoing concern surrounding the issue of rogue nations, especially Iraq and Iran, which support international terrorism and pursue weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org