February 21, 2003
Who is he?
Former Iraqi foreign minister, now adviser to United Arab Emirates government. He is a Sunni Muslim.
Who does he represent?
No power base at present.
US links/funding
Recently gained backing of the White House as a Sunni elder statesman who could play a leading role in post-Saddam aftermath, acceptable to Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. No known funding.
Pro or anti-war?
Pro.
What kind of Iraq does he want?
An elected government to take over as soon as Saddam falls.
Who is he?
Known to Kurds as Mam (uncle) Jalal, Talabani is a veteran of Iraqi Kurdish politics who has opposed successive governments in Baghdad for much of the last 40 years. He leads the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
Who does he represent?
The PUK controls the eastern part of the self-rule area from Sulaymaniyah. It controls around 25,000 fighters.
US links/funding
In regular contact with American officials over past few months. Works hard at maintaining relations with Turkey and Iran. Self-funding.
Pro or anti-war?
Kurdish leaders have been reluctant to come out openly in favour of the war for fear of provoking Saddam.
What kind of Iraq does he want?
Talabani believes that the Kurds' best chance of self-determination lies in a federal Iraq in which the Kurds will run their own region.
Who is he?
Former divisional commander of Saddam's Republican Guard who defected in 1995. He is Sunni.
Who does he represent?
Heads the Iraqi Free Officers' movement. His following is hard to measure but his continued links with the Iraqi armed forces make him a potentially vital player in a post-Saddam Iraq.
US links/funding
From his home in the Iraqi exile belt around Washington, he enjoys close relations with the CIA and the state department.
Pro or anti-war?
Supporter of regime change.
What kind of Iraq does he want?
Backs democratic Iraq, but has likened democracy to a well-oiled military machine.
Who is he?
Leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party which rules the western part of the Kurdish self-rule area from the regional capital Arbil.
Who does he represent?
The more traditional, more tribal elements in Kurdish society, and controls a fighting force of up to 35,000.
US links/funding
Barzani has bitter memories of past American betrayals of the Kurds, especially of his father, who died a broken man in the US in the 1979. Self-funding.
Pro or anti-war?
Characteristically cautious about backing a US invasion and keeps channels of communication open with Baghdad.
What kind of Iraq does he want?
Barzani's KDP has drawn up a constitution for a future Iraq, which has been approved by the Kurdish parliament, that envisages two federal regions, one in the predominantly Kurdish north and one in the Arab south.
Who is he?
Senior cleric of the Shia strain of Islam. Imprisoned and tortured as an opposition leader in Iraq during 1970s.
Who does he represent?
His organisation, the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, claims to represent the majority Shia population in Iraq. He also controls the group's armed wing, the Badr Corps, which has thousands of troops stationed in Iran.
US links/funding
Living in exile in Tehran, Hakim owes much to the conservative clerics ruling Iran, who have funded his organisation for 20 years.
What kind of Iraq does he want?
Al-Hakim says he favours free elections, but opposes a federal solution and has warned against a possible US military administration.
Pro or anti-war?
Officially anti-war but would warmly welcome the end of Saddam's rule.
Who is he?
Cousin of the former King Faisal of Iraq. Now lives in London. Leader of the Constitutional Monarchy Movement (CMM). The royal family is Sunni Muslim.
Who does he represent?
Sharif Ali does not claim mass support
US links/funding
Has been in talks with Pentagon about how to remove Saddam.
Pro-or-anti war?
Believes outside military intervention is necessary to trigger mass defections in army and government.
What kind of Iraq does he want?
Believes a western-style constitutional monarchy would be best model
Who is he?
Former member of the ruling Ba'ath party who left Baghdad and formed the opposition Iraq National Accord (INA) in 1976. Survived attempted assassination by Saddam's agents in London.
Who does he represent?
Claims support of hundreds of activists abroad and thousands of disillusioned government and party officials inside Iraq.
US links/funding
INA has worked closely with CIA and MI6 and is said to have received covert US funding. The INA has also acknowledged receiving funding from Saudi Arabia. No figures available.
Pro-or-anti war?
Supports military action.
What kind of Iraq does he want?
A democratic, secular Iraq which retains loyalty of Sunnis and Shi'ites.
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