IRAQ: An End to Isolationism

As Saddam Hussein consolidates his power

His nation sits upon a "lake of oil," boasted Saddam Hussein al Takriti last week—referring to Iraq's estimated proven reserves of more than 32 billion bbl. Largely because of that petrol power, Iraq is emerging as a political force in the Middle East after years of xenophobic isolationism. The country's increasing importance was underscored by a visit to Baghdad last month by Jordan's King Hussein for discussions on a comprehensive Middle East peace settlement. Other recent callers have included French Premier Raymond Barre, British Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington and his West German counterpart, Hans-Dietrich Genscher. Their visits are solid evidence of the growing Western interest in Iraq and of Baghdad's desire to open new economic and diplomatic relations with the West. They also suggest that Saddam Hussein, 42, who replaced ailing Ahmed Hassan al Bakr, 65, as President last July, is determined to forge a more active, and possibly less radical, foreign policy for his country. TIME Correspondent Bruce van Voorst reports from Baghdad:

Winter is descending on the Iraqi capital, or so they claim in the coffeehouses on Saadun Street, even though the afternoon temperature hovers above 90°. After comments on the weather, conversations with leather-faced Iraqi peasants, sipping lemon tea or sweet Turkish coffee, or with natty young chain-smoking bureaucrats from nearby ministries turn these days to politics. That means the ascendancy of Saddam Hussein, who has moved decisively to strengthen his grip on the country.

Saddam Hussein's consolidation of power has included the arrest last July of 67 Cabinet members, politicians and government employees in an alleged conspiracy against the new regime; 21 officials, including a Deputy Prime Minister, were executed for treason, but the rationale for the purge remains a mystery. The government branded the plot a Communist attempt to oust Saddam Hussein and unofficially suggested that Syria was behind the machinations. Most Western observers believe it was engineered by the new President simply to eliminate critics of his authoritarian rule.

Saddam Hussein has frenetically tried to build up his personal image in the wake of the purge. His public activities are front-page news in the government-controlled press. His photographs are everywhere. This extravagant cult of personality seems designed to broaden the political base of the new President, particularly among bureaucrats made nervous by the "conspiracy." The President took steps to placate potential opposition within the government. He ordered large salary increases for bureaucrats, police forces and the army and announced plans for often postponed elections to a general assembly. If the carrot fails, Saddam Hussein certainly has the stick. Iraq remains a tough, unrelenting police state. Telephones are tapped, and there is a widespread system of.informants as well as thousands of political prisoners.