[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 134 (Thursday, August 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          DEFECTIONS FROM IRAQ

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, as many of my colleagues may have heard, 
there have been dramatic developments in the Middle East today.
  Two major Iraqi government figures--both members of Saddam Hussein's 
circle of power--have defected from Iraq and are now in Jordan.
  One of the defectors, Lt. Gen. Hussein Kamel Hassan, was in charge of 
military industrialization in Iraq. The other, Lt. Col. Saddam Kamel 
Hassan, was in charge of Saddam Hussein's guards. Both--this is really 
the curious thing--coincidentally, are married to daughters of Saddam 
Hussein and are thus his sons-in-law.
  The development is significant for a number of reasons. Just last 
week, Ambassador Madeleine Albright testified to the Foreign Relations 
Committee that Saddam's base of support has been shrinking. Today's 
events illustrate that point in an extraordinary way. On a more 
fundamental level, the defections demonstrate the soundness of United 
States containment policy toward Iraq, which is designed in part to 
encourage internal change. It is still too early to assess how the 
defections will affect Saddam's grip on power; it is clear, however, 
that there is considerable turmoil in Baghdad's inner sanctum.
  As a final note, Mr. President, I would like to add a word of 
appreciation for Jordan's King Hussein. It is no small gesture for King 
Hussein to welcome the defectors and provide them safe haven. As 
unpredictable as Saddam Hussein can be, the King's actions could well 
provoke an Iraqi response.
  President Clinton has said that the United States stands ready to 
support the King, who by today's actions has shown true courage in 
defiance of Saddam. I support the President's statement and join him in 
expressing gratitude to King Hussein.


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