TARIQ MIKHAIL 'AZIZ

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05730257
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: March 16, 2022
• Document Release Date: March 31, 2016
• Case Number: F-2015-01885
• Publication Date: August 6, 1985

Approved for Release: 2016/02/10 C05730257
Tariq Mikhail `AZIZ IRAQ
(Phonetic: ultZEEZ)
Deputy Prime Minister; Member,
Revolutionary Command Council;
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Addressed as:
Mr. Deputy Prime Minister
Tariq 'Aziz is one of President Saddam
Husayn's most trusted advisers and is among the
four most powerful men in Iraq. He has been a
member of the Revolutionary Command Council
(RCC), Iraq's highest governing body, since
September 1977; Deputy Prime Minister since July
1979; and Foreign Minister since January 1983.
'Aziz also serves as the RCC's foreign affairs
director. He is the regime's prime formulator of
foreign policy, the government's chief external affairs spokesman, and Iraq's primary
contact with high-ranking Western and Arab officials. We believe that he enjoys more
freedom in his relationship with Saddam than do other advisers, who may harbor
presidential ambitions. (A Christian, 'Aziz is unlikely ever to accede to the presidency of
Muslim-dominated Iraq.)
He was a major proponent of
resuming tun diplomatic relations between his country and the United States (a goal that
was realized in early 1985). He continues to encourage expanded government-to-government
ties and the participation of US industry in Iraq's development program. `Aziz has publicly
applauded US efforts to stem the flow of Western arms to Iran but believes this country
could do more to end the Iran-Iraq war. In a government known in the past for its harsh
stance, he tends to be a moderate on the Arab-Israeli issue. We doubt that he would oppose
a negotiated settlement that led to Arab recognition of Israel within permanent boundaries.
After receiving a B.A. degree in English from the University of Baghdad in 1958, 'Aziz
began serving is a propagandist for the Beth Party. In the late 1950s and early 1960s he
edited three different party papers, and during 1968-70 he was editor in chief of al-Thawra,
the official party organ. Elected a candidate member of the party's ruling body, the
Regional Command, in 1974, he became a full member three years later. He served as
Minister of Information during 1974-77. During the past year he has made official visits to
London, Paris, Tokyo, Cairo, Rabat, Moscow, and Washington.
'Aziz. who is ab7ut 49
He enjoys Cuban cigars. He speaks excellent, almost elegant English.
He and his wife, Violette, have at least two children.
CR M 85-14173
6 August 1985
Approved for Release: 2016/02/10 C05730257