Saddam wanted to negotiate
2003-12-15 10:49
Adwar, Iraq - "My name is Saddam Hussein," the fallen Iraqi leader told US troops in English as they pulled him out of a dark hole that had become his home. "I am the president of Iraq and I want to negotiate."
US soldiers replied: "Regards from President Bush."
The exchange, recounted by Major Bryan Reed, operations officer for the 1st Brigade, 4th infantry division one day after Saddam's capture was announced, suggested the Iraqi leader would be willing to tell US intelligence everything he knows. Of the most immediate importance would be any information on the insurgency responsible for the deaths of nearly 200 American soldiers.
On Monday, a series of car bombings around the Iraqi capital caused several injuries to Iraqi policemen and passersby, according to witnesses.
President Bush had warned attacks would continue as experts pored over documents found with Saddam and his interrogation got underway.
Saddam's exact whereabouts on Monday were unclear. US officials said only he had been moved to a secure location. The Dubai-based Arab TV station Al-Arabiya said he was taken to Qatar, though that could not be confirmed.
Eventually, Saddam could be tried for war crimes by a new Iraqi tribunal. More immediately, the Americans made clear he faces intensive interrogation - foremost, to find out what he knows about the ongoing rebellion against the US-led occupation and later, about any weapons of mass destruction his regime may have had.
The former dictator - one of the world's most-wanted fugitives was captured by US special forces along with the 4th Infantry Division conducting a massive raid on a farmhouse near Saddam's hometown of Tikrit.
- AP