Intelligence chief denies Kingdom pushing for Iraq coup

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Sun, 2003-01-19 03:00

RIYADH, 19 January 2003 — Director of Intelligence Prince Nawaf denied in remarks published yesterday reports that the Kingdom had proposed an amnesty for top Iraqi generals to encourage a coup against President Saddam Hussein.

"This talk is totally baseless. The Kingdom would not interfere in the internal affairs of Iraq and has no contacts with Iraqis inside or outside," Prince Nawaf told the Okaz newspaper. He was denying media reports that the Kingdom had proposed a plan requiring a UN Security Council resolution declaring an amnesty to all but the most prominent Iraqi officials.

The alleged proposal was first reported on Thursday by Time magazine on its website, www.time.com.

Prince Nawaf stressed that what was published in Time magazine was untrue. "It is an Iraqi issue whether Saddam remains in power or not," he added.

An editorial in Okaz said yesterday that Saudi efforts to achieve a settlement and security in the region would never include such proposals because they oppose the idea of liquidation and assassination. (Agencies)

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