Bush funds Iraqi opposition

10:30 AM

BAGHDAD - Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan has dismissed as "ridiculous" U.S. decision to grant the Iraqi opposition more money to carry out activities against President Saddam Hussein's government.

"We do not pay attention to such behavior by American administrations, rather we pour scorn on them as they are ridiculous," Ramadan told a group of pro-Iraq Jordanian activists on Saturday.

U.S. officials said on Friday that Washington had cleared the way for $4 million to be given to Iraqi opposition groups to gather information inside Iraq in their struggle against Saddam.

The funds were agreed and announced under the Clinton administration last October, but were formally cleared for payment this week by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

It was the first time in five years that Washington has funded opposition activity inside Iraq, although it has given money to boost the work of the Iraqi National Congress, the main opposition coalition, outside the country.

"The (US) decision reflects our belief that there is no difference between the administrations of the Republicans and Democrats," Ramadan said.

- REUTERS

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