Saddam 'should have killed himself'

news.com.au ^ | December 15, 2003 | From Nasser Abu Bakr in Jenin

[11th_VA]

PALESTINIANS today accused former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein of cowardice after the long-time hero to many in the West Bank and Gaza Strip was captured without a struggle by US troops near his hometown.

Saddam's support and financial aid to the tune of thousands of dollars for the families of Palestinian suicide bombers during the three-year intifada made the former Iraqi strongman a popular figure in the occupied territories.

Palestinians celebrated during the 1991 Gulf War when Saddam's forces fired dozens of Scud missiles at Israel.

But today many were quick to draw a contrast between Saddam's meek surrender and their own leader Yasser Arafat, who has been confined to his headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah by the Israeli army for more than two years.

According to Adeeb Berakat, a 35-year-old from the traditionally militant Palestinian stronghold, Arafat would never have allowed himself to be taken alive. "His weapon is always beside him, ready for shooting," said Berakat.

"Saddam has been humiliated. As he has been asking the people to fight, he should have fought himself. If he did not fight he should have killed himself."

A nurse from the West Bank town of Bethlehem said Saddam's behaviour was reminiscent of the leaders of hardline Palestinian groups who dispatched young men and women to their death in suicide bombing missions, but were not prepared to sacrifice themselves.

"I hate Saddam but I was surprised to see him give himself up," she said on condition of anonymity.

"I expected that he would kill himself, but he is similar to the recruiters of the suicide bombers in our country, sending people to their martyrdom, but whenever the army comes to arrest them they give themselves up easily because these people are not prepared to die."

Tahir Masri, a human rights worker from the West Bank town of Nablus, said Palestinians should not bemoan the downfall of a man who killed his opponents at will and ruined his country.

"Saddam showed that he is afraid of death by killing his people," said Masri. "It is normal that he would come to an end like this."

Palestinian officials remained tight-lipped about the capture.

"We don't want to give any reaction," one minister said. Asked if a statement would be released, the minister added: "No way."

Arafat supported Saddam in the 1991 Gulf War, after the Iraqi leader linked a withdrawal of his troops from Kuwait to a settlement of the Palestinian question. But his backing was seen as a major diplomatic own-goal.

Arafat did not make the same mistake in this year's US-led springtime invasion of Iraq.

Agence France-Presse

[11th_VA]

I'm holding back my tears (/sarcasm)

[stuartcr]

He probably didn't, because he knows the chances of his being executed are slim.

[international american]

It is still great that he goes down as a coward. It will save American lives, methinks.

[Darksheare]

They're whining that their hero didn't kill himself.
How.. quaint for them.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

All arab leaders, especially the Palestinians who send their children off to slaughter, are simple cowards.

Bullies, in general, are closet sissies and cowards.

[kevao]

And after all those $25,000 checks. What ingrates.

[Eris]

According to Adeeb Berakat, a 35-year-old from the traditionally militant Palestinian stronghold, Arafat would never have allowed himself to be taken alive. "His weapon is always beside him, ready for shooting," said Berakat.

No time like the present, Yasser...

[wizardoz]

According to Adeeb Berakat, a 35-year-old from the traditionally militant Palestinian stronghold, Arafat would never have allowed himself to be taken alive. "His weapon is always beside him, ready for shooting," said Berakat.

Uh huh. Sure he would, Berakat. SURE he would. Little Mister Swiss Bank Account is a real rugged, spartan hero. Sharon ought to snatch up Yassar and show him being checked for lice to the Palestinian world. They all need to see that the men who encouraged them to rig their children up with suicide-bomber vests has no intention whatsoever of risking his own precious hide.

[GulliverSwift]

were quick to draw a contrast between Saddam's meek surrender and their own leader Yasser Arafat

What contrast? I hear Yasser is also a billionaire. He's also a wrinkly, senile coward.

[Terry Mross]

I wonder did he teach his Uday and Qusay to "Do as I say, not as I do." They went down slinging. He coward in a hole. How does this man live with himself? (sarcasm)

[CougarGA7]

Suicide bombers are indignant with Saddam for not killing himself? ..... Why do I find that funny as hell? Must be the irony.

[JCB]

Hey Palestinans/Arab world: Just because Saddam urges gullible Arabs to kill themselves doesn't mean that the brave warrior himself would ever do it!

C'mon, you work for your leaders - not the other way around!

[WOSG]

Does anyone remember the end of that Jimmy Cagney movie, the one where he is friends with the guy who becomes a priest, and the priest convinced him after a life of crime and mayhem, to 'die yellow'?

All the tough boys from the Bowery are shocked that Jimmy Cagney "died yellow".

I think Saddam getting captured alive is awesome, the best possible outcome. It punctures this jihadist-wannabe's myths like a balloon. Saddam is a rat and a coward and was caught like one. Now he can have a public trial where all those who he committed crimes against can face him. I think a trial of 2 years length, where witness after witness comes forward and tells their story of pain and agony at the hands of his goons, would be a good idea. Following that, a public execution.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Guess Saddam heard they were out of virgins.

[Redcloak]

Guess Saddam heard they were out of virgins.

He learned that they all look like this...

[thesummerwind]

Saddam 'should have killed himself'

Put him in a rape room for a few months for starters!

That works for me.

[RS]

"Suicide bombers are indignant with Saddam for not killing himself? ..... Why do I find that funny as hell? Must be the irony."

Probably because suicide bombers aren't indiganat about anything - it's those who support and encourage suicide bombers ( while they remain safe and warm ) that are indignant ... I'm sure Saddam would be indignant if Arafat or Bin Laden had (will) surrender meakly when their time comes.

( although Bin Laden is probably already buried in a hole somewhere...)

[thesummerwind]

GREAT MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!

[thesummerwind]

ROFL!!!!

Janet Reno ........ with makeup?

[ASA Vet]

He coward in a hole

The coward cowered.