World reaction to U.S. strike on Iraq

September 3, 1996
Web posted at: 2:15 p.m. EDT (1815 GMT)

(CNN) -- Some U.S. allies reacted coolly Tuesday to the U.S. missile strike against Iraqi military targets, including France, which said it preferred a "political solution." Britain, Germany and Japan endorsed U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision to use force. Russia and China were critical.

Russia

In Moscow, a Russian government statement called for the United States to halt its military strikes in Iraq, saying the attacks could send events in the region spiraling "out of control."

Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov accused Clinton of acting to boost his chances of re-election in November. "These strikes will not help anyone, with the exception perhaps of those whose priority is domestic politics," Primakov told a news conference in Bern, Switzerland.

U.S. State Department officials said they were not surprised by Moscow's reaction, noting that Russia is trying to collect a $7 billion debt from Baghdad that has been due since the Gulf War. Iraq, denied the right to export oil, has been unable to pay Moscow.

Britain

In Britain, which provided logistical support for the strikes, there was "very strong support" from Prime Minister John Major. Saddam Hussein has an "atrocious" human rights record, Major said, citing Iraqi assaults on Kurds in northern Iraq in 1991.

It was for that reason "we advocated safe havens in the first place," Major said.

John Major (1.5 MB AIFF or WAV sound)

France

France appeared to be at odds with Washington. Foreign Minister Herve de Charette said dialogue between Iraq and the Kurds "is to us the only way to contribute, by a political solution, to the return to calm and stability in Iraqi Kurdistan."

"The French were fairly cool to this right along but we, obviously, totally disagreed," a senior Clinton administration official told CNN. "We have dealt with Saddam too long to believe politics or diplomacy would work," the official said.

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.

New Zealand

New Zealand's prime minister called for international intervention in the crisis.

"We would like to see the matter picked up by the U.N. Security Council and take what would be described as an objective view of events in Iraq," Jim Bolger said.

Spain

Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes said the United States should not have acted so quickly. "This is something that should have been examined in greater depth first," he said.

Germany and Israel

German Foreign Minister Volker Ruehe, who is visiting Israel, said "the Americans deserve our full support ... no one can do something like this without being punished." Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his agreement: "The Iraqi aggression cannot be tolerated."

Netanyahu (279 K AIFF or WAV sound)

NATO

NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana called the U.S. military action a justified response to violations of U.N. orders.

Solana (410 K AIFF or WAV sound)

Japan

In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto told reporters that the raid is in line with 1991 U.N. resolutions calling on Iraq to stop suppressing its Kurdish minority. "Japan understands it and will support it as needed," he said.

China

China deplored the attack on Iraqi territory. "We believe Iraq's territory should be respected," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang. "We hope all sides show an attitude of restraint."

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien voiced support for the U.S. attack and called on Saddam to withdraw from Kurdish regions.

"The use of cruise missiles against military targets constitutes a measured and clear response to Iraqi military actions, while ensuring to the extent possible the safety of civilian populations in Iraq," he said in a statement.

Correspondent Siobhan Darrow, the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• U.S. launches missile strikes against Iraq - September 3, 1996
• International reaction mixed to U.S. strikes against Iraq - September 3, 1996
• Oil jumps on Iraq attack - September 3, 1996
• White House: military strike inevitable against Iraq - September 2, 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

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• U.S. Navy Public Affairs
• Kurdish Information Network
• Kurds and Kurdistan: Facts and Figures
• United Nations
• Pentagon
• Kurds in Iraq
• Kurds in Turkey
• Operation Provide Comfort
• Tomahawk cruise missle
• Military Airplanes
• B-52: "The Stratofortess"
• U.S.S. Laboon (destroyer)
• U.S.S. Carl Vinson (aircraft carrier)
• Cruisers (U.S. Navy)

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
Some newsgroups may not be supported by your service provider.

Tell us what you think! You said it...

© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.