IRAQ: A group of Iraqi politicians and professionals in exile has called on Saddam Hussein to resign to "to spare Iraq the ravages of war, and preserve regional peace and security", reports Michael Jansen.
The 37 signatories of the appeal include five former cabinet ministers, two senior officials, academics and others. The most well known of the group is Dr Adnan Pachachi, a former foreign minister recently approached by Washington to participate in the consultative council the US seeks to form to advise a military governor appointed to rule post-war Iraq.
In their statement, the Iraqis say that "the present regime and its manner of governance have been the main reason for the series of crises and catastrophes that have afflicted Iraq" and that it will be impossible to emerge from the present threatening situation without moving towards democracy.
They propose the establishment of an a temporary civil administration in co-operation with the UN. Acting in accordance with a strict timetable, this body would provide essential services and prepare the country for elections to a constituent assembly which would draft a constitution and supervise elections for a national assembly.