[20000627]98-179_伊拉克反对派运动.pdf

1 Much of the information in this paper is derived from press accounts of U.S. covert operations.CRS has no way to independently confirm the information contained in these press reports. 2 Shiites constitute about 65% of Iraqs population but have historically been repressed andunderrepresented in governing bodies by the members of the Sunni Muslim sect. Kurds are about20% of the population of about 20 million. Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-179 FUpdated June 27, 2000Iraqs Opposition MovementsKenneth KatzmanSpecialist in Middle Eastern AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryMany in Congress and the Administration agree that the only way to blunt the long-term threat from Iraq is to remove Saddam Husayn from power. The Iraq Liberation Act(H.R. 4655, P.L. 105-338), signed October 31, 1998, gives the President authority toprovide up to $97 million worth of defense articles to support an insurgency againstSaddam. However, there are disagreements over the viability of the opposition and overhow aggressively the United States should support the opposition groups. This reportwill be u