Returning Iraqi exile says Baghdad leadership promises politica

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- President Saddam Hussein has promised opposition groups a new constitution that allows freedom of expression, pluralism and a free press, an exiled group said Saturday. Other exiles dismissed the offer as a ploy to rally support before a possible U.S. attack.

Fadhil Al-Rubaiee, one of four delegates of the Iraqi National Alliance that is visiting Iraq, said the government contacted the alliance and promised steps toward political reform. He said the alliance opposes Iraq's system of one-party rule but would not necessarily reject Saddam's leadership under a multiparty system in which civil rights were guaranteed.

Major opposition groups denounced the offer of a pardon as a ploy by Saddam. The small, little-known Iraqi National Alliance is believed to be the only exile group that responded to an Oct. 22 offer to return to Iraq. The offer included a pardon for opposing Saddam's regime.

Iyad Allawi, head of the better known opposition group Iraqi National Accord, said the alliance was not a "credible opposition" and described government offers of political freedom as attempts by Saddam to buy time in the face of a possible U.S.-led attack.

"No Iraqi is going to take them seriously," Allawi said in a telephone interview from London.

With the possibility of a regime change in Baghdad, Iraq's divided opposition groups have had trouble setting aside their differences. A meeting to discuss unifying against Saddam's government is scheduled for Dec. 10-11 in London.

Allowed to criticize

The delegates in Iraq have met some senior officials, including Izzat Ibrahim, the deputy leader of the Revolutionary Command Council, Iraq's top decision-making body. Al-Rubaiee said they hope to meet Saddam before leaving.

Al-Rubaiee said Ibrahim told them the government would create three reform committees -- to prepare a new constitution, draft a law governing political parties and prepare a media law.

Al-Rubaiee, who is on his first visit home in 24 years, said that the delegates, who arrived Nov. 11, were promised that a new constitution would assure freedom of speech.

"Ibrahim told us that all Iraqi opposition figures, no matter how much they have criticized the regime, can freely criticize the regime and describe it as a dictatorship and ruthless," Al-Rubaiee said.

He quoted Ibrahim as saying opposition figures "can even call for overthrowing (the government) under the condition that they are not connected to international intelligence agencies."

Asked if the alliance was in contact with any of the other exile groups, Al-Rubaiee said "we don't have any contacts with the groups that are betting on the American project."

Saddam has ruled Iraq with an iron hand since he assumed control of the government in July 1979.