IRAQ: Pressures

As Premier Karim Kassem addressed the first congress of the General Federation of Iraqi Trade Unions in Baghdad last week, Communists in the audience shouted: "Hang the traitors!" The Premier's gaunt face tensed and his voice crackled. "I will not hang traitors just because you or some other group demands it," he exploded. "It is not your right. We follow law and justice in dealing with traitors."

Then Kassem crumpled into a chair, shakily sipped some water. Interpreters broke the startled silence by translating the Premier's words for the benefit of visiting Communist delegations. Soon Kassem rose again, staring straight ahead,...

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