- -
Since the Gulf War, the United States have continued to conduct covert military
operations in Iraq, most of which have involved the CIA. Their goal was to bring
about the demise of Saddam Hussein. Many attempts have been made to over-
throw the dictator usually ending with dismal results. Even though the world
does need policing, the United States or any other Nation or State, is not solely
suited to the responsibility. 'Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator is a ruthless
despot who has brought enormous misery on his own people. It is a pity he
remains in power...' (Finley 27). When the subject is Iraq, the United States still
feel a need to act as International Police.
Saddam's paranoia about plots to over-throw him has meant the death of
many. One incident caused a Squadron Commander in the Iraqi army to bribe a
truck driver to sneak him out of Baghdad after discovering that Iraqi Intelligence
had been to his fathers home asking about an alleged coup plot to assassinate
Hussein. After fleeing Baghdad, the Commander walked twenty five miles
across Iraqi army lines to a Kurdish defector camp. This camp was set up in 1991
by the United States, Britain and France. Located in Northern Iraq, its primary
intent was to protect the 3.5 million Kurds from attacks by Saddam Hussein -
who retaliated to the Kurdish rebellion against Baghdad near the end of the Gulf
War. The 'safe haven', encompassing over 14,000 square miles, also
accommodates defectors from the Iraqi army (Cooperman 59).
Hussein thoroughly purged his operations, executing hundreds of his
military officers who he felt were plotting against him. A splinter group that
split from the Kurdish rebels, calling themselves the Kurdish Democratic Party,
and backed by Iraqi fighters, staged an...