Start Date: Thursday, December 12, 2002
Last Modified: Tuesday, May 5, 2020
End Date: Friday, December 31, 9999
I am pleased to announce the issuance today of two new State Department publications, "Iraq: From Fear to Freedom" and "Iraq: A Population Silenced," which further document why the current Iraqi regime remains a threat to its own people, its neighbors, and the international community as a whole. The first document, "Iraq: From Fear To Freedom" is a document primarily aimed at overseas audiences, and will be translated into several regional languages. It seeks to educate foreign audiences regarding the current Iraqi regime's acquisition and use of Weapons of Mass Destruction against its own people and its neighbors, its support for international terrorism, its history of corruption, its long record of human rights abuses and atrocities, and finally, its sustained, willful deception and defiance of the international community. The second document entitled "Iraq: A Population Silenced," summarizes the abuse and atrocities innocent Iraqi citizens have been forced to endure at the hands of their government every day, including executions, torture, rape, and disappearances. Though Iraq's cultural, historical, and intellectual heritage is rich, the Iraqi regime has long used terror and fear to silence the legitimate voice of opposition. This publication seeks to give voice to those Saddam has tried for so long to silence. As we consider how to disarm Iraq, it is important to keep in mind the context of our efforts. These documents help provide that context for discussion.
The first document, "Iraq: From Fear To Freedom" is a document primarily aimed at overseas audiences, and will be translated into several regional languages. It seeks to educate foreign audiences regarding the current Iraqi regime's acquisition and use of Weapons of Mass Destruction against its own people and its neighbors, its support for international terrorism, its history of corruption, its long record of human rights abuses and atrocities, and finally, its sustained, willful deception and defiance of the international community.
The second document entitled "Iraq: A Population Silenced," summarizes the abuse and atrocities innocent Iraqi citizens have been forced to endure at the hands of their government every day, including executions, torture, rape, and disappearances. Though Iraq's cultural, historical, and intellectual heritage is rich, the Iraqi regime has long used terror and fear to silence the legitimate voice of opposition. This publication seeks to give voice to those Saddam has tried for so long to silence.
As we consider how to disarm Iraq, it is important to keep in mind the context of our efforts. These documents help provide that context for discussion.
Colin Powell
Washington, DC
Iraq: Issuance of "From Fear to Freedom" and "Iraq: A Population Silenced" Concerning Iraq's International Abuses
12/13/02