S P E C I A L:

Inspecting Iraq

U.S. continues to plan for Saddam Hussein's demise

In this story:

• 'You're always thinking about these things
• Some say U.S. should try again
• After Saddam, what?

February 26, 1998
Web posted at: 9:34 p.m. EST (0234 GMT)

From Correspondent Ralph Begleiter

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite a new agreement that has eased the threat of war with Iraq, intelligence sources said that the United States continues to develop covert plans to get rid of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"You're always thinking about these things," one official told CNN, adding that if such plans were requested and unavailable, the CIA and other agencies would be sharply criticized.

Although implementing such plans would be costly, sources say that U.S. agencies are capable of doing many things if the White House is, as one source puts it, "willing to pay the price."

Republicans in Congress are pushing plans to overthrow Hussein, and U.S. officials say they would rather not have to deal with him. But removing him, in the words of U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright "is not the purpose" of the current dispute with Iraq.

In fact, she said: "I don't think that is what we should do."

In 1996, the U.S. encouraged and funded a multi-million dollar effort by Iraqi Kurds and the Iraqi National Congress to unseat Hussein.

But Iraqi troops besieged the area, killing hundreds and forcing many more to flee while also giving the CIA a black eye.

Some want U.S. to try again

There are those -- Steven Solarz, a former U.S. congressman, among them -- who say the United States should try again.

"The U.S. in the past has been prepared to provide help to freedom fighters in other countries like Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Cambodia and Angola," Solarz said. "I see no reason why we shouldn't be prepared to do it now."

One problem is that the United States may appear to be an uncertain ally to groups that could use its help.

Ahmed Chalabi of the Iraqi National Congress said: "We actually started military operations against Saddam in March of 1995. The operation went on for three weeks. We received no support."

After Saddam, what?

A senior U.S. official said that the Clinton administration is reviewing a variety of ideas for "weakening" Hussein that would not necessarily involve "covert" action.

They include:

• Establishing a radio station to broadcast propaganda into Iraq that would counter Hussein's own information to his people.

• Establishing "sanctuaries" for dissidents (including military defectors) under U.S. military protection.

• Providing relief from the economic sanctions crippling Iraq in certain parts of the country, such as the north.

• Encouraging international moves to "indict" Hussein on war crimes.

The latter step could pave the way in international law for removing Hussein from power and prosecuting him at an international war crimes tribunal.

But that raises questions about what might happen after Hussein is gone. One of the more compelling questions is whether Iraq might remain one country or splinter along ethnic and religious lines and become a volatile and unstable entity in an oil-rich area that needs peace to flourish.

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