A Tyrant 40 Years in the Making

By Roger Morris (NYT) 980 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A , Page 29 , Column 2

ABSTRACT - Op-Ed article by Roger Morris traces America's dealings with Saddam Hussein back 40 years, when CIA under Pres John F Kennedy conducted its own regime change in Baghdad, carried out in collaboration with Hussein; says Washington's role in coup that deposed Abdel Karim Kassem went unreported, but by many accounts that coup was accompanied by bloodbath; says Kassem episode raises questions about war at hand; wonders how fierce may be resistance of hundreds of officers, scientists and others identified with Hussein's long rule; wonders why they should believe that America and its latest Iraqi clients will act more wisely, or less vengefully, now than in past; drawing (M) On the brink of war, both supporters and critics of United States policy on Iraq agree on the origins, at least, of the haunted relations that have brought us to this pass: America's dealings with Saddam Hussein, justifiable or not, began some two decades ago with its shadowy, expedient support of his regime in the Iraq-Iran war of the 1980's.

Both sides are mistaken. Washington's policy traces an even longer, more shrouded and fateful history. Forty years ago, the Central Intelligence Agency, under President John F. Kennedy, conducted its own regime change in Baghdad, carried out in collaboration with Saddam Hussein.

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