A bearded Saddam driving a Toyota pick-up

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | December 3, 2003 | None credited

[Quilla]

A former photographer for Saddam Hussein told an Arab newspaper he last saw the former leader in Iraq in April, wearing a beard and driving a Japanese car.

The ousted leader constantly changed his bodyguards to guarantee they would not be lured by the $US25 million ($34.5 million) reward placed on his head by US occupiers, Faisal al-Obeidi said in remarks published yesterday.

Mr al-Obeidi had worked as one of Saddam's private photographers since 1985.

Speaking to the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat, Mr al-Obeidi said the last time he saw the former president was in the town of Howeija near the northern city of Kirkuk two weeks after the fall of Baghdad.

He said one of his cousins had invited him to dinner.

"When I got there, I was surprised to see the president there. He was in good health and good spirits and had grown his beard. He was wearing the traditional Arab garb and driving a small Toyota pick-up truck," Mr al-Obeidi said.

The former photographer said Saddam told him and his family during that dinner that he was returning to power and "asked us to swear we would not give any information that helps the enemies arrest him".

Mr al-Obeidi said he would never report on Saddam's whereabouts if he had information.

"I would not report him even if it costs me my life. He gave us money and security and stability. We are from tribal families and never betray those who have entrusted us," he said.

He added that it would be difficult for the coalition forces to find Saddam as he changed his two or three escorts constantly for fear of betrayal and was always on the move.

"The president did not forget who helped him and has sent us money so that we can continue to live normally," he said.

[Quilla]

All I want for Christmas is Saddam on a stick.

[Huck]

I'd rather have Osama.

[John Beresford Tipton]

WWSD,
What Would Saddam Drive?

[Quilla]

I wonder why the fellow didn't opt out for the $25 million.

[CaptRon]

"I would not report him even if it costs me my life. He gave us money and security and stability. We are from tribal families and never betray those who have entrusted us," he said.

With enough zeroes to the left of the decimal point...

[cake_crumb]

OOOO OOOO...I saw bin Laden headed toward the Safeway, driving a gold SUV!!

[ElkGroveDan]

Someone needs to turn this photographer over to the Pakastanis or the Israelis.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Saddam on a stick would be good!

[Geezerette]

This really calls for a picture (or 2). I hope a FReeper with graphic skills can make this thread complete (IMHO)!!

g

[small voice in the wilderness]

I know this is series. But all I can think of is Iowa Hawk's Clinton Living in Trailer Park, Doin' O.K. parody!! One of the funniest bits I ever read on FR!

[DAPFE8900]

Yes and he had ghandi and elvis with him...
Oh in the back seat i think i saw Tu Pac!

[alaskanfan]

Wouldn't that be a hoot.

G.W.s Christmas gift to the world. The corpses of Osama and Saddam?

Dashle would jump out of an office window.

[eastforker]

I know this may be hard for some to grasp but I think all of us have someone in our hearts that we would never betray for whatever reason.I am sure it is the same over there.We have an old saying here in Texas,you dance with the one that brung ya.Guess that holds true in other parts of the world no matter the ideology.

[Capt. Tom]

G.W.s Christmas gift to the world. The corpses of Osama and Saddam?

Too early to play both those cards now. Saadam now is good it will cut down on the Iraqui resistance, and save American lives.

Finding Osama is better closer to next years presidental election. -Tom

[Adder]

Apparently, even that doesn't matter. Its either the [admirable] trait of integrity [as seen from their point of view] or they really do not realize just what 25 million dollars will do for them their tribe and any other of Allah's cheelrun they choose to share with.
Hasn't worked in Afghanistan either.

[Quilla]

Dashle would jump out of an office window.

Icing on the cake!

[big gray tabby]

Hasn't worked in Afghanistan either.

Oh it's worked all right, and damn well. But it hasn't worked as well as one would think, which is just about every time.

[eastforker]

See my post 13 above. What if Tony Blair sold us out by being bribed by some ME oil rich country or by thought of not getting reelected.It all boils down to this,you honor your commitments or your word a worth a damn.I myself have no use for someone that would sell out their benefactor.That being said,one has to determine if the benefactor is someone you want to Allie with.So goes the saying, "you made your bed now lay in it".

[SandRat]

Dashle would jump out of an office window.

Given his penchant for survival at all costs it would be a ground floor window.

[LurkedLongEnough]

The ousted leader constantly changed his bodyguards...

Umm, seems like in some cases they were changed ~for~ him.