Report: White House developing plan for postwar plan for Iraq if Saddam ousted

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Bush administration is working on postwar plans for Iraq that could involve foreign military control of the country if President Saddam's regime is overthrown, officials said

Friday, October 11th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Bush administration is working on postwar plans for Iraq that could involve foreign military control of the country if President Saddam's regime is overthrown, officials said Friday.

For an undetermined period of time, U.S. or other military commanders would be responsible for maintaining stability and overseeing transition efforts to move the country toward a democratic government, two military officials said on condition of anonymity.

President Bush says he has not definitely decided on a military invasion to achieve his goal of ousting Saddam. But among a range of proposals being developed is a postwar military occupation force that might be anything from a U.S. force, to one run by whatever coalition joins in a war against Iraq, to one devised by the United Nations, they said.

The plan is being developed by a number of U.S. government agencies.

One plan being considered by the White House is based on the occupation of Japan following World War II and includes installing a U.S. commander to administer Iraq, perhaps U.S. Central Command head Gen. Tommy Franks in the role taken by Gen. Douglas MacArthur after Tokyo surrendered in 1945, The New York Times said in its Friday editions.

Two officials said later Friday that such a plan is among the least likely to be approved of those being considered.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said he had no comment on the story.

Some have warned that an American military occupation of Iraq could enflame Muslims in other countries.

``I am viscerally opposed to a prolonged occupation of a Muslim country at the heart of the Muslim world by Western nations who proclaim the right to re-educate that country,'' former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said during Senate hearings last month.

Others suggested that the idea is being floated publicly as the latest administration effort in a psychological campaign aimed at Saddam's generals. That is, they said, it suggests to them that they should join in the U.S. effort to topple Saddam or face being controlled by foreign military forces.

Officials have repeatedly warned in recent weeks that Saddam's forces should refuse orders to use chemical or biological weapons in any invasion. They also have suggested in public speeches and press conferences that the population revolt and Saddam and his family and inner circle voluntary go into exile.

Official also have said previously that any postwar plan would also likely include war-crime trials for Iraqi leaders.

The Senate early Friday joined the House in passing a resolution granting Bush the powers to use the U.S. military to enforce United Nations orders that Saddam dispose of his weapons of mass destruction. The resolution, which now goes to the president, encourages Bush to seek U.N. cooperation in such a campaign but does not require it.