Council Gives Solid Support to Bush Policy : Politics: Decision is met with mixture of applause and jeers. Resolution has no official effect.

The Los Angeles City Council voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to support President Bush and the United Nations effort to drive Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

Pushing aside routine zoning and budget matters, the council held an unusual three-hour session on the Persian Gulf War that drew a mixture of applause and jeers from the audience of nearly 100. About 25 people spoke in opposition to the war, and about 10 voiced support of it.

The resolution of support, proposed by council President John Ferraro, has no official effect, but the council instructed the city clerk to send copies of the resolution to the President, vice president and California congressional delegation.

The document “deplores” Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, condemns “indiscriminate” attacks on the civilian populations of Saudi Arabia and Israel, and supports the international military effort.

The council also approved an amendment offered by Councilman Nate Holden that urges Bush to continue peaceful negotiations to end the conflict.

The council vote was unanimous on nearly all aspects of the resolution, but Councilman Robert Farrell voted against one clause because it specifically supported Bush.

Council members generally made impassioned speeches in support of the war effort.

Councilman Hal Bernson called Iraqi President Saddam Hussein the “butcher of Baghdad.” and said, “This war was thrust upon us.”

“The world once before, in the late ‘30s, sat by and watched while another insane dictator thrust his madness upon the world,” Bernson said. “This is not about oil, it is about safety and human rights and human freedom.”

One amendment offered by Farrell was turned down by the council. It would have had the city “express solidarity with the people of Iraq.” among other nations involved in the war.

“I’m not interested in expressing any solidarity with Iraq,” said Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky. “They should have thought about it before they launched what has engulfed them.”