Posted on 05/24/2003 3:32:18 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
God help whoever has to rule Iraq, says Harby. "We Iraqis are difficult people and you have to be very tough to control us."
With his piratical moustache and green headcloth, he looks like someone who could cause the Americans a lot of trouble. In fact, he is very much part of the solution, and travels with US bodyguards.
A former pilot in the Iraqi air force who moved to Canada, he is now a leading hunter of suspects on the Americans' most wanted list.
Of the 23 captured so far, he has played a role in seizing five. While his men call him Harby, in Baghdad he is known as "The Sheriff" because of his passion for seeking out the remnants of the regime of Saddam Hussein.
After a couple of days being chased around the country, he agreed to talk at the Baghdad Hunting Club, headquarters of the Iraqi National Congress, the opposition group which recruited him.
While most Iraqis are full of hurt, fear and complaint, Harby is optimistic.
"These people have to be rounded up. Iraq will not be stable until we complete this. People are terrified. They don't know if Saddam is going to return."
He agreed to discuss one operation - the capture on April 21 of Mohammed Hamza al-Zubeidi, a former deputy prime minister and No 9 on the list of 55 most wanted. Zubeidi was caught on video kicking a kneeling prisoner during the suppression of the 1991 uprising in the south of Iraq.
Harby said: "I guessed he would be hiding not far from his home town of Hillah south of Baghdad. I sent some guys with a car and some money and we found out he was being sheltered in the village of Imam."
American special forces provide the punch - helicopters, night vision equipment, and blasting caps to force open the doors - while he does the talking.
"I went there and told the heads of the families in the village, you are surrounded. We can search every room of every house, and turn the place upside down, or you can hand him over in two hours," he said. "It took a little longer than two hours, but Zubeidy appeared. He was a pathetic sight, trembling with fear. When someone is really guilty, you can see it written all over them."
He is not surprised that Saddam Hussein is still at large. "The Tikritis [families from Saddam's home town] are a criminal gang, just like the Italians or Chinese back home [in Canada] and they love safe houses and secret communications."
One focus of the manhunt is leaders of the great desert tribes - the Shammar, Rabi and Dulaim, among whose ranks wanted men have sought refuge for centuries.
It is rumoured that Saddam's wife, Sajida, crossed to Syria and was sent back to Iraq, hidden by one of the tribes. Saddam was supposedly seen a few days ago with the Dulaim. But he could as easily be in one of dozens, if not hundreds, of safe houses in Baghdad.
Harby has a small piece of the puzzle: some of his men found a note from Sajida to workmen in Ouja, Saddam's village near Tikrit, telling them to repair a wall in their house to keep looters out. Couriers are carrying messages all across the country.
He says Saddam will be found, but it may take three or even six months. He intends to be there when it happens.
yitbos
Good hunting, "Sheriff". Bag 'em and bring 'em in, dead or alive!
Leni
Money well spent.
yitbos
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