US new plans to support Iraqi opposition
United Arab Emirates-Iraq-USA, Politics, 6/10/1999

The US ambassador in charge of coordination with the Iraqi opposition, Frank Ricciardone, on Wednesday visited Abu Dhabi and met with several officials there, including the minister of state for foreign affairs, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, and the special advisor for the UAE president, Mane Saeed al-Oteibah.

The visit of the US diplomat is the first since he was assigned to the Iraqi file.

News reports of a UAE apology for not receiving Ricciardone in previous times provoked the US embassy in Abu Dhabi to deny this matter.

The UAE considers making a change in Iraq as an internal matter that should be decided by the Iraqis. The UAE concentrates on the unity of the Iraqi territories and the need to lift the sufferings and the siege imposed on Iraq.

The US envoy briefed the UAE officials on the plans of the US administration to support the Iraqi opposition.

Well-informed sources in Abu Dhabi said the visit of the US official will continue until Saturday and that he will continue his meetings with UAE officials to debate developments of the Iraqi file.

Previous Stories:
  Report: Further US backing to Iraqi opposition   (6/8/1999)
  Egypt, UAE refuse to receive Ricciardone   (4/29/1999)
  Indyk: peace process indicators mixed   (4/24/1999)
  US for a peace-loving Iraq   (3/2/1999)

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