Committee for the Liberation of Iraq Press Release -- 11/12/2002

The Committee for the Liberation of Iraq, a new non-governmental organization, has been formed to advocate freedom and democracy in Iraq. A distinguished group of Americans who share a common view on the importance of liberating Iraq and building pluralistic institutions will serve on the Committee's Advisory Board. The Committee will meet with Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, at the White House later today to discuss Iraq policy.

Chaired by former Secretary of State George Shultz, Advisory Board members represent a diverse, bi-partisan coalition including former Senator Bob Kerrey, Teamsters President James Hoffa, Jr., retired General and former "Drug Czar" Barry McCaffrey and noted Middle East expert Dr. Bernard Lewis of Princeton University (complete list attached). The Committee was formed to promote regional peace, political freedom and international security through replacement of the Saddam Hussein regime with a democratic government that respects the rights of the Iraqi people and ceases to threaten the community of nations.

"The problem in Iraq is not just Saddam Hussein's weapons - it is Saddam Hussein's regime. The Iraqi people are the first victims of this tyranny," said CLI President Randy Scheunemann. "For too long, Iraqis have suffered from the regime's brutality, Saddam's criminal pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, and his drive for regional hegemony." Scheunemann concluded: "We believe it is time to confront the clear and present danger posed by Saddam Hussein's regime by liberating the Iraqi people."

Bruce Jackson, CLI Chairman, added. "The work of the Committee does not end with the disarmament of Iraq. We have to work to restore to the Iraqi people the freedom to make basic democratic choices. Freeing the Iraqi people and rebuilding the institutions of self-governance can only be accomplished with bi-partisan support and with the support and counsel of America's friends and allies in Europe and around the world."

The Committee for the Liberation of Iraq will engage in educational and advocacy efforts to mobilize domestic and international support for policies aimed at ending the aggression of Saddam Hussein and freeing the Iraqi people from tyranny. The Committee is committed to work beyond the liberation of Iraq to the reconstruction of its economy and the establishment of political pluralism, democratic institutions, and the rule of law.

Dr. Mahdi Al-Bassam, Iraq Liberation Action Committee

Dr. Barry Blechman, DFI International

Dr. Eliot Cohen, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Thomas A. Dine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

General Wayne Downing, U.S. Army (retired)

Rend Rahim Francke, Iraq Foundation

Honorable Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

Lt. General Buster Glosson, U.S. Air Force (retired)

James R. Hoffa, Jr., International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Howell Jackson, Professor of Law, Harvard Law School

Honorable Robert Kerrey, former U.S. Senator

Amb. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, American Enterprise Institute

William Kristol, Weekly Standard

Dr. Bernard Lewis, Princeton University

General Barry McCaffrey, U.S. Army (retired)

Will Marshall, Progressive Policy Institute

Honorable Richard Perle, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense

Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute

Richard Shultz, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

Honorable Steve Solarz, former Member of Congress

Ruth Wedgwood, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Leon Wieseltier, The New Republic

Chris Williams, Johnston and Associates

Honorable James Woolsey, former Director of Central Intelligence
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