Chennai: Iraq would require only moral support from other nations if forced into a
war and not military aid, the Iraqi Ambassador to India Sala-al-Muktar said on
February 22.
He told reporters that Iraq wanted to avoid a war and was prepared for a dialogue
with the US. "Let them first specify what exactly they want," he said.
Sala-al-Muktar said that the US intention was not to destroy weapons, but to control
Iraqi oil reserves, through which it could have indirect control over other nations.
The US threat to wage a war against Iraq was only "a starting point" and could
spread to other nations, he said.
The Ambassador alleged that the US wanted to topple the Democratically elected
government in Iraq and install a puppet government there, which would be resisted by
the people.
"Our countrymen know how to defend themselves and are prepared for sacrifices," he
said.
He thanked the Indian government, political parties and organisations like the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for extending support to Iraq.
Describing India as Iraq's friend, Sala-al-Muktar said his country had offered to co-
operate with the UN team to inspect weapons sites after heeding advice from nations
like India.
PTI
