TARIQ AZIZ - IRAQ

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06498254
• 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: August 18, 1995

Approved for Release: 2016/02/10 C06498254
IRAQ
Tariq AZIZ
(Phonetic: ahZEEZ)
Deputy Prime Minister (since 1979); Member, Revolutionary Command Council (since 1977)
Addressed as: Mr. Minister
Tariq Aziz has historically been one of President Saddam Husayns most important counselors,
particularly on international and political issues. He remains de facto Foreign Minister, a position he held
during 1983-91.
as a member of Iraqs minuscule Christian community, he could not take power in Muslim-dominated Iraq,
even if he so aspired. Posing no threat to Saddam, he retains a position of trust in the Presidents cabinet.
A Diplomats Diplomat
Azizs mastery of English and
cosmopolitan demeanor should not be construed as pro-Western sentiment.
Becoming More Hard-Line
Although he earlier had advocated cooperation with the UN Special Commission in getting the UN
Security Council (UNSC) to lift sanctions against his country, Aziz recently spouted rhetoric that followed
a decidedly harder line:
� Press reporting indicates he told UNSC Chairman Rolf Ekeus during an early August 1995 meeting that
Iraq has fulfilled all of its obligations and that the UNSC should work to end the embargo by the end of the
month. Aziz stated that a failure to do so will be viewed by the Iraqi people and leadership as a stand that
can only be explained as being tendentious and hostile. Furthermore, if the August deadline is not met,
Aziz implied that Iraq will no longer cooperate with UNSC monitoring.
According to Press reports, Saddams son and close adviserUday Husaynfavors a
nonconciliatory approach to UN sanctions and has undermined Azizs position, publicly lambasting the
Deputy Prime Minister in Udays newspaper, Babil, and blaming him for failing to lift the sanctions.
Approved for Release: 2016/02/10 C06498254
Approved for Release: 2016/02/10 C06498254
Background
Aziz is generally considered one of Iraqs most ardent Baath Party ideologues, and his party credentials
are impeccable. He participated in the 1968 coup that brought the Baathists to power. During the mid -to
late-1970swhi1e serving first as Minister of Information and then as a member of the Revolutionary
Command Council and the partvs Regional CommandAziz helped Saddam undermine then President
Ahmad al-Bakr Saddam made Aziz Deputy Prime Minister after Bakrs
ouster in 1979.
Aziz was born in 1936
Aziz speaks eloquent English
Aziz and his wife, Violette. have at least two children.
Former Closet Moderate?
Before Iraqs invasion of Kuwait in August 1996 i;iewed Aziz as having generally
advocated a moderate foreign policy. For example, he was the official most closely associated with
Iraqs attempt to improve its standing with the international community during 1988-90. Aziz consistently
worked to mend relations with the United States before ties were officially reestablished in 1984. He was
also a chief advocate of Egypts reintegration into the Arab fold in the late 1980s. During that time, he
supported a negotiated settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict and urged the PLO to adopt moderate
positions, We believe that, although he probably still tries occasionally to
present moderate views to the President Aziz never pushes the mJo
decision Saddam makes
LP 95-108578
18 August 1995
Approved for Release: 2016/02/10 C06498254