Saddam's Briefcase Yielding 'Intelligence Windfall'

Newsmax.com ^ | 12/15/03 | Carl Limbacher

[truthandlife]

Less than 48 hours after he was taken into custody, U.S. military officials say that Saddam Hussein's capture has already produced an "intelligence windfall" of new information on Iraq's insurgent movement.

Speaking to reporters Monday morning, Brig. Gen. Mark Hurtling said, "Intelligence stemming from Saddam's arrest has led soldiers to capture several other top regime figures and uncover rebel cells in Baghdad."

The new information came from a briefcase of documents that the deposed Iraqi dictator was reportedly carrying when he was caught, according to MSNBC.

Hurtling told reporters that, based on the find, U.S. officials now believe Saddam was indeed playing a role in leading the anti-American insurgency.

The new information contradicts accounts from former Clinton administration officials who said on Sunday that the Iraqi dictator was likely too isolated to direct continuing attacks on U.S. GIs.

The documents in Saddam's briefcase are said to have provided U.S. military officials on the ground with "a clearer picture of the insurgent command and control network in Baghdad and confirmed the existence of suspected rebel cells."

[.cnI redruM]

Never trust an officer who carries a briefcase to the front.

[zook]

This can't be true. Katy Couric said that there's no way Sadam could have been running any operation.

[Semper Paratus]

Looks like there was more in the briefcase than a week-old falafel wrap.

[2banana]

The new information contradicts accounts from former Clinton administration officials who said on Sunday that the Iraqi dictator was likely too isolated to direct continuing attacks on U.S. GIs.

And former Clinton officials should know what it takes for a leader to orchestrate attacks on enemies...

[thatdewd]

There goes his POW status. Too bad. NOT.

[11th Earl of Mar]

WHy would he lose his POW status?

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

The new information contradicts accounts from former Clinton administration officials who said on Sunday that the Iraqi dictator was likely too isolated to direct continuing attacks on U.S. GIs.

I don't believe anything a Democrat says.

Bill Clinton set the standard!

[DannyTN]

"There goes his POW status. Too bad. NOT."

Actually if he is directing the insurgency, doesn't that confirm his POW status? Not like it matters. The war crimes tribunal will make whether he is a POW or not a moot issue.

[anoldafvet]

I believe that in order to have POW status, you need to be captured in uniform to be considered an enemy combatant. If you are wearing civilian clothes, you are NOT a POW.

[thatdewd]

Rumsfeld repeatedly pointed out that if he were found to be involved in the insurrgency, it would change his status. That has a direct effect on his rights and regarding questioning, which will go on and on for a LONG time before he is turned over to any tribunal.

[commish]

The new information contradicts accounts from former Clinton administration officials who said on Sunday that the Iraqi dictator was likely too isolated to direct continuing attacks on U.S. GIs.

Just shows that the Clinton Admin people are just as clueless today as they were when Bubba was Da Pres.

[thatdewd]

Why would he lose his POW status?

Because he would just be a terrorist, like those guys at Gitmo.

[r9etb]

Brig. Gen. Mark Hurtling

With a name like that, he should be out flying something that can go Mach 3....

[mrobison]

Yeah, all them DemaRats said that the violence would get worse now and here we are kicking butt on the insurgents. What's with that? Who do we think we are?

[r9etb]

Hmmmmmm. One is left to wonder why, if it's an "intelligence windfall," we're being told about it. Obviously they've already used it to take down a bunch of bad guys, but you'd think there'd be more to glean.

Obviously there's some strategery behind this -- maybe stir up the nest and see who flies.....?

[bray]

You mean he wasn't in that hole 24/7? God Bless Our Troops! Now if there were bank acct numbers in that briefcase we can drain the swamp quicker.

Pray for W and Merry Christmas Troops

[Tricorn]

The Dems don't want Saddam to have been orchestrating the insurgency. They want Saddam's capture to have no effect on the resistance.

[Paradox]

Obviously there's some strategery behind this -- maybe stir up the nest and see who flies.....?

Yeah, something else going on here. My thoughts are that by making it sound like Saddam is singing, they rest of the badguys are more likely to try to get the best deal they can and surrender.

[txradioguy]

"I believe that in order to have POW status, you need to be captured in uniform to be considered an enemy combatant."

So does taht mean all of the Taliban we captured in Afghanistan are NOT really POW's? They were not wearing uniforms.