Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 17, 1991 TAG: 9104170156
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The effort will mark the first movement of U.S. ground troops into northern Iraq, although Bush said the United States has no intention of a long-term occupation.
The president said responsibility for the refugee sites would be turned over as soon as possible to the United Nations.
The action comes amid criticism in Congress that U.S. aid has been too little, too late and Bush turned his back on the very people he had encouraged to rise up against Saddam Hussein.
Bush rejected that criticism but acknowledged fears that some might see the plan as U.S. intervention in Iraq's internal affairs. Nevertheless, he vowed, "These people will be protected. They're scared to death."
At the Pentagon, officials had scant information on how Bush's proposal would be enacted, how security for the Kurds would be maintained, or how they would be moved to the new camps.
"We think they'll move off the mountain, because they will go where the food is," one military officer said, speaking on condition he not be identified.
It appeared any military involvement on the ground might take days to accomplish, because the U.S. military forces have just begun to arrive at the two major staging areas inside Turkey.
At a news conference, Bush said, "We must encourage the Kurds to move to areas in northern Iraq where geography facilitates rather than frustrates relief efforts."
Relief workers and the State Department say up to 1,000 refugees along the Turkish border may be dying daily of exposure, dehydration and dysentery.
Turkey says there are 600,000 Iraqi refugees - most Kurds - on its border, 400,000 of them inside Turkey. Iran says close to 1 million of Iraq's 4 million Kurds crossed its border.
Bush cited as his authority to set up the camps an April 5 U.N. resolution that insisted Baghdad allow international humanitarian organizations to help those in need in any part of Iraq.
Bush said five or six camps would be set up in a flat region that would make it easier to house refugees and deliver supplies.
He said a "relatively small number" of troops would be involved, and added there would be air support to protect the camps.
Bush said he had consulted with several foreign leaders before making his announcement, but said his comments at the White House marked his first authoritative word to Iraq of his plans.
"They should not respond militarily," he said in a warning to Iraq not to interfere with the stepped up relief efforts. "And I don't think they will."
On other international issues, Bush said he would like relations with Iran to improve, but "I'm not going to forget those Americans held hostage" by pro-Iranian militants in Lebanon.
by CNB