Rubin: US invited Iraqi opposition

US State Department Spokesman James Rubin said yesterday that a delegation of the Iraqi National Congress interim leadership has been invited to visit the United States to "exchange views on how to relieve the suffering of the Iraqi people by promoting the transition to a democratic and pluralistic Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbors."

He said the interim leadership committee is made up of leaders of seven opposition groups belonging to the Iraqi National Congress and that there will be about a dozen participants in the delegation that is to visit Washington.

"Obviously, some of these activities are being supported by funds appropriated for the Iraqi opposition; others are being supported by the opposition leaders themselves," Rubin said.

He added, "My understanding is that the Secretary [US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright] intends to meet with them, but we're still working on the scheduling for such a visit."

Rubin stated, replying to reporters' questions, that US money likely helped pay for the meeting of the Iraqi National Congress interim leadership committee which concluded yesterday in London, saying, "Probably some funds are made available for precisely the idea of getting as much unity as possible, and I'd be surprised if this process wasn't funded in significant ways."