Iraq contemplates riposte

Iraq will defend its sovereignty and independence, officials at the Iraqi embassy in Moscow said today reacting to yesterday’s US-British air strikes. Iraqi diplomats insist the strikes are linked to the Palestinian problem. They cite Mr. Hussein’s remarks that “the attack was levelled against Iraq since it had been a true ally of Palestine” and that “it was just the beginning of US’s large-scale military campaign against Palestinians and their Arab allies.” The diplomats reiterate that the Iraqis “are able and will defend themselves.” However, they did not elaborate on what specific “retaliatory measures” they meant.