Baghdad Says It Will Free All German Hostages

The nation’s lawmakers agreed Tuesday to free all Germans remaining in Iraq and Kuwait as a gesture that President Saddam Hussein said should encourage dialogue and avert war in the Persian Gulf.

The Iraqi National Assembly voted to approve Hussein’s recommendation that the Germans be allowed to leave in response to recent statements by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl stressing the need for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

Earlier this week, Iraq said that all foreigners would be set free between Dec. 25 and March 25, but Information Minister Latif Jasim indicated Monday that some might be allowed to leave earlier.

A Dutch company reported Tuesday that 122 Dutch, Belgian and British nationals who had completed a dredging project for the Iraqi government would soon leave.

Parliament Speaker Saadi Mahdi Saleh said there are 124 Germans remaining in Iraq and Kuwait. No specific arrangements were made for their departure.

Separately, the Iraqi Parliament, acting on Hussein’s recommendation, has decreed death for food hoarders as the nation endures U.N. sanctions imposed for the invasion of Kuwait, Baghdad newspapers said Tuesday.

This represented Baghdad’s most drastic move yet to combat the trade blockade imposed by the U.N. Security Council four days after the invasion of Kuwait.