Posted on 07/02/2004 5:00:09 AM PDT by MadIvan
Saddam Hussein believed that Iraq would never be invaded because the US would get bogged down in "interminable debate at the UN", his interrogators believe.
The ousted dictator thought that the uncertainty about his weapons arsenal would prevent his neighbours from invading, while the US would be stuck in negotiations about launching an attack an intelligence official claimed.
Although the interrogations of Saddam have yielded little about whether he recently possessed weapons of mass destruction, they have provided a fascinating insight into aspects of his life and leadership.
During interrogation sessions, Saddam suggested that he ordered the 1990 invasion of Kuwait to keep his army busy.
He appeared to fear giving officers too much time without being occupied by combat.
An intelligence official also told the newspaper that interrogators believe Saddam was shocked when the coalition attacked and then invaded Iraq in March last year.
The officials said Saddam believed that ambiguity about his weapons programmes "would keep the neighbours at bay, while the US would be hung up in interminable debate at the UN".
During one session he appeared to boast that he had infiltrated the Iraqi National Congress, the exile organisation which pressed for the invasion of Iraq.
While there were no physical methods of coercion used, psychological tactics were employed.
Sometimes, the interrogator would try to catch Saddam out by questioning him for hours, and then leaving him alone for a period of time before returning to ask just one more question.
In one session Saddam told how his son Uday had beaten to death someone who had annoyed him by playing music too loudly.
Saddam said he had Uday imprisoned in solitary confinement as punishment.
It has been widely reported that Uday bludgeoned to death his father's valet and food taster in 1988, apparently because he had introduced Saddam to the woman who became his mistress.
Despite the insights, Saddam gave little away during interrogation which would incriminate him in his trial for crimes against humanity, including genocide.
"We got very little, I would say almost nothing," said an official who served with the occupation authority.
Saddam was initially in the hands of the CIA but when it became clear he would not co-operate with them, the FBI took a greater role in questioning him, the New York Times reported.
For much of his detention Saddam's guards were reservists from Puerto Rico, who were ordered to speak only Spanish in his presence.
It's a Man's Life in the Cardiff Rooms Libya
"Ah, yes sir, one more thing..."
"YES, Lt. Columbo. You know, I am a very busy man --"
"Oh, this won't take a minute sir, you go ahead and eat your lunch..."
Regards, Ivan
I remember seeing a picture of Saddam being pulled out of his rathole by US troops and someone had photoshopped a thought bubble saying "Jeez, I didn't thing they'd get this freakin' mad!".
I remember reading about a year ago that France had promised Saddam that they would prevent the invasion.
He must have believed Comical Ali! ;-)
It's a Man's Life Taking Your Clothes Off in Public
A furthur indication that the UN is an ally of our enemies.
Glad to see you back posting again. I guess you got that time thing under control.
Let's not be too hard on old Saddam. He believed what he did, in part, because he was paying BIG BUCKS to Chirac, Annan, and Slick Willie, himself, with Iraqi oil vochers. Who woulda thought they'd allow W to break up such a sweet deal. Of course, a good investogation of the connection between Iraq and Osama will prove the payoffs and that is why the dems are lying so vigorously, to prevent the investigation.
Outstanding President, Vice President and Administration!
I guess he didn't realize that Dubya is more like his Mama, and not as much like his Daddy.
Too bad, so sad!
And then there was the media. He didn't even have to pay them. They couldn't wait to jump in and try to make people believe there was a quagmire.
Saddam you picked the wrong president to mess with
NOBODY EXPECTS THE AMERICAN INVASION!!!
The officials said Saddam believed that ambiguity about his weapons programmes "would keep the neighbours at bay, while the US would be hung up in interminable debate at the UN". ......
He believed because Chirac told him that was the way it will be. Talk about being pissed at Chirac...... he has a reason.
Sounds, like they hired Columbo.
After the CIA and then the FBI, they sent for Columbo to see if he could crack Saddam.
After the CIA and then the FBI, they sent for Columbo to see if he could crack Saddam.
Hell, they bought him a whole year!
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