TARIQ AZIZ - IRAQ

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05381103
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 16, 2022
• Document Release Date: March 31, 2016
• Case Number: F-2015-01885
• Publication Date: January 26, 1993

Approved for Release: 2016/02/10 C05381103
Tariq AZIZ
(Phonetic: ahZEEZ)
Deputy Prime Minister (since 1979);
Member, Revolutionary Command Council
(since 1977)
Addressed as: Mr. Minister
Twig Aziz is one of the three most important
counselors of President Saddam Husayn, advising
him on foreign and political questions. Aziz
remains de facto Foreign Minister (he held the job
during 1983-91), although he lost the portfolio in
April 1991 when Saddam shuffled his cabinet
as a member of Iraq's
miniscule Christian community, he could not take
power in Muslim-dominated Iraq if he wanted to.
, Posing no threat to Saddam, he retains a position of
trust in the President's cabinet.
A Diplomat's Diplomat
in
November 1992 when he went to the UN in New
York to plead Iraq's case against the renewal of
sanctions is mastery of English and
diplomatic demeanor should not be construed as
pro-Western sentiment.
and he is as committed to
Saddam's policies as the rest of his colleagues in
government
Game Strategist
Most of Aziz's recent efforts have been toward
undermining international will to enforce the UN
embargo of Iraq and wearing down opposition to
Saddam among the Arab oauntries that opposed the
invasion of Kuwait. Aziz has taken the lead in the
fight against UN resolutions, maintaining that the
IRAQ
1-1 lqgb
Closet Moderate?
Before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August
1990, Aziz was viewed as
having generally advocated a moderate
foreign policy. For example, he led the Iraqi
delegation to the Iraq-Iran peace talks and is
the Official most closely associated with Iraq :v
�attempt to improve its standing with the
international community during 1988-90. Aziz
consistently worked to improve relations with
the United States before their official
reestablishment in 1984, and he was a chief
advocate of Egypt's reintegration into the
Arab fold in the late 1980s. During that time,
he suppa rted a negotiated settlement to the
Arab-Israeli conflict and urged the PLO to.
adopt moderate positions,
While we believe Aziz
probably stilitries occasionally to present
. moderate views to the President. he never �
pushes them more than the traffic will bear
and will support whatever decision Saddam
makes.
(continued)
WA M 93-10468
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air exclusion zones have no legal basis. He was the
highest level Iraqi official to take part in the
standoff in the summer of 1992 with UN inspectors
who wished to enter the Agriculture Ministry
building in.Baghdad. During those negotiations, he
rejected the authority of the UN Special Committee
and claimed its wish to enter the building was a
violation of Iraqi sovereignty. He has also played on
Arab fears of Iran's ambitions, arguing publicly that
time is on Iraq's side because other Arabs�and
even the United States�will come to recognize
Iran as the greater threat to regional stability
Aziz is considered to be one of Iraq's most ardent
'Lath Party ideologues; his party credentials are
impeccable. He participated in the 1968 coup that
brought the Bauthists to power. Aziz, while serving
' as Minister of Information during 1974-77 and then
as a member of the Revolutionary Command
Council and the party's Regional Command. helped
Saddam undermine then President Ahmad al-Bakr,
Saddam made Aziz
Deputy Prime Minister after Bakes ouster in 1979.
Personal Data
Aziz was born in 1936
He speaks eloquent English
Aziz and his
wife, Violette, have at least two children.
26 January 1993
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