Iran's key role in capturing Saddam

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Iran played a key role in capturing deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein near his hometown of Tikrit last month, a Lebanese newspaper reported.

Daily al-Mustaqbal, owned by Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, quoted a well-informed Paris-based Arab source as saying the Kurds only had a secondary role in capturing Saddam while the essential credit should go to the Iranians who succeeded in trapping him.

The source said Saddam was moving among four hideouts located in the so-called Sunni triangle northwest of Baghdad and relied on a small number of assistants who relayed his messages and letters.

"Saddam was convinced that the resistance he was leading would not be effective unless the Shiite community joined in and consequently he dispatched a messenger to Tehran to seek Iranian help in encouraging Iraqi Shiites to turn against the U.S. forces," the source said.

He said the Iranians fooled Saddam giving him the impression they were ready to collaborate with him and asked him to dispatch a senior aide.

"The senior messenger was Saddam's son-in-law whose movements were monitored with the help of the Kurds and eventually Saddam's hideouts were located," the source added.

U.S. forces then raided the four hideouts at the same time with gas, capturing Saddam in one of them.

1 posted on 01/09/2004 5:28:19 AM PST by Pan_Yans Wife

What do you think?

I don't remember hearing about Saddam's son-in-law being involved, before. Do you?

2 posted on 01/09/2004 5:30:20 AM PST by Pan_Yans Wife (Freedom is a package deal - with it comes responsibilities and consequences.)

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3 posted on 01/09/2004 5:32:15 AM PST by Support Free Republic (If Woody had gone straight to the police, this would never have happened!)

It's possible, all the guy had left were fellow tribesmen, cronies, and family.

But he does also have a record of being tough on son-in-laws.

4 posted on 01/09/2004 5:33:37 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim (Death before dhimmi.)

I don't believe this "take" on it.

Look at the source.

7 posted on 01/09/2004 5:37:44 AM PST by nuconvert ("This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible with raisins in it. ")

I know, I know. But, the propaganda aspect is interesting, always. Sometimes the stories are more interesting because of what they don't say.

8 posted on 01/09/2004 5:38:50 AM PST by Pan_Yans Wife (Freedom is a package deal - with it comes responsibilities and consequences.)

"he does also have a record of being tough on son-in-laws."

That's an understatement.....though to hear his daughters speak, he's a kind, gentle, wonderful father.(as long as you don't mind visiting your husband in the cemetery)

9 posted on 01/09/2004 5:41:47 AM PST by nuconvert ("This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible with raisins in it. ")

Is it possible their husbands weren't that good of character, too? Like the daughters would know what is normal, being raised by Hussein. Can you imagine having Uday and Qusay as brothers?

10 posted on 01/09/2004 5:43:36 AM PST by Pan_Yans Wife (Freedom is a package deal - with it comes responsibilities and consequences.)

Palestinian/Iranian regime propaganda

"You wash my hands, I'll wash yours"

11 posted on 01/09/2004 5:44:30 AM PST by nuconvert ("This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible with raisins in it. ")

At this rate the Arab press will have Howard Dean as the one who pulled Saddam out of that hole.

12 posted on 01/09/2004 5:45:01 AM PST by dirtboy (Howard Dean - all bike and no path)

Rebuilding their pride, too. Why let the Kurds get the credit?

13 posted on 01/09/2004 5:46:15 AM PST by Pan_Yans Wife (Freedom is a package deal - with it comes responsibilities and consequences.)

They weren't angels, but they knew their father-in law was ruthless, and they'd be killed if they stuck around.
And No, I can't imagine those 2 as brothers. In fact, I'd really rather not even try to imagine.

14 posted on 01/09/2004 5:51:26 AM PST by nuconvert ("This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible with raisins in it. ")

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