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International reaction mixed to U.S. strikes against Iraq
September 3, 1996
Web posted at: 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 GMT)(CNN) -- The U.S. missile strike against Iraq drew mixed reaction Tuesday, with Britain giving strong support, China urging restraint and Russia expressing "growing concern."
"The British government fully supports the unequivocal message to Saddam Hussein that repression of innocent civilians and reckless acts of brutality are unacceptable," British Prime Minister John Major said in a statement.
Britain provided logistical support for the operation, as U.S. B-52s flying to the Persian Gulf from Guam refueled at a base in the Indian Ocean, said British Defense Secretary Michael Portillo.
The strike, which came in response to Saddam's weekend attack on Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Iraq, was necessary to send Saddam a message, said Portillo. (1MB AIFF or WAV of British Defense Secretary Michael Portillo :24 sec)
France
France said it was informed in advance of the U.S. strike but urged a "political solution."
Both Britain and France fought alongside the United States in the Gulf War to drive Iraq out of Kuwait in 1991 and are among the allies enforcing no-fly zones in southern and northern Iraq.
Dialogue between the Iraqi government and Kurdish factions "is to us the only way to contribute, by a political solution, to the return to calm and stability in Iraqi Kurdistan," French Foreign Minister Herve de Charett said in a statement.
China
China, like Britain a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, urged Washington and Baghdad to show restraint and said Iraq's borders should be respected.
"We hope all sides will not take action that could further aggravate the situation in that area," foreign ministry spokesman Shen Guofang said in Beijing. "We think the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq should be respected."
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting he was briefed before the attack, said the U.S. has Israel's full support. "The Iraqi aggression cannot be tolerated," he said. (748K AIFF or WAV of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu :39 sec)
Netanyahu said he believed Israel was in no imminent danger from Iraq. Israel, which was hit by Iraq scud missiles during the 1991 Gulf War, told its citizens to continue with life as normal.
"The defense establishment in Israel is following what's happening," Israeli defense ministry spokesman Avi Benayahu said.
Germany
German Defense Minister Volker Ruhe, after meeting in Jerusalem with Netanyahu, also backed the U.S. action.
"The free world must stick together. Actions like these must not remain unpunished," Ruhe said.
Spain
But Spain, one of the United States' NATO allies, said it wished Washington had delayed military action. Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes said Washington advised its allies late Monday it was about to act.
Russia
The Russian government observed developments in the Gulf with "growing concern," a Russian foreign ministry source said.
Interfax news agency quoted a Russian foreign ministry source saying the Kremlin viewed the situation in the Gulf as "extremely dangerous."
"The situation could get out of control," the source said. "Now everything depends on further action by the Americans."
Japan
Clinton also sent a message to Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto about the strike, according to the Japanese foreign ministry.
"We are concerned about the situation in the northern part of Iraq. We hope the situation will not get worse," an unnamed official told Kyodo news agency.
The Associated Press, Reuters and Deutsche Presse-Agentur contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- U.S. launches missile strikes against Iraq - September 3, 1996
- Clinton calls allies seeking advice and consensus - September 1, 1996
- Boutros-Ghali postpones Iraqi oil-for-food deal - September 1, 1996
- Kurds in middle of Mideast tug-of-war - September 1, 1996
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