Self-Defense chairman defends his decision to go on observation trip to Iraq

Andrzej Lepper, head of the Self-Defense (Samoobrona) party has accepted an invitation to Iraq to observe a referendum concerning the people's support for Saddam Hussain's rule. During a press conference, Lepper announced he had been invited by the Deputy President of Iraq, although he was unable to recall the name. "I think we have been chosen as the second largest political power in Poland, and as those who will be in power in the future," Lepper said. The referendum is to take place on October 15. Andrzej Lepper will be accompanied by Piotr Tymochowicz, his adviser, and Sejm Deputy Krzysztof Filipek. The Samoobrona chairman gave his assurance, however, that his trip does not mean support for Saddam Hussain, though he did not criticize the dictator. He said he was going there because he would like to study the situation from a different perspective from those of the American media, in order to be more objective. Most politicians were shocked by the news. "I am speechless," said Civic Platform (PO) leader Donald Tusk, adding, "like country, like observer." Deputy Sejm Speaker Tomasz Nalecz commented, "Observing democracy in Iraq is as fruitful as searching for palm trees in the Antarctic." Sejm Speaker Marek Borowski said he would try to discourage Lepper from accepting the invitation and added that there was no way the trip would be endorsed by the Sejm, (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.8) A.K.