Saddam 'didn't expect invasion'

The Evening Standard ^ | July 2, 2004 | Staff

[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.

[keysguy]

Any bets the French whore lawyers representing Sadman have got at least one of his secret bank accounts and the money is flowing already? By the way you are like FREEP cult hero here, nice to be a part of this post, I'm a relatively new guy here.

[general_re]

"Now, Cardinal - the rack!"

[OldFriend]

If all the lib crazies had marched in the street demandng Saddam Hussein step down instead of marching in the street supporting the murderer, things would have been very different.

If anyone is to blame for the ensuing war in Iraq it's those who tried to convince Saddam Hussein that he was the good guy.

[Gefreiter]

GROM is a fantastic organization. I've not studied them, only read about them in open sources, but the operational history that is publicly available is amazing.

GROM has worked with US forces since at least Haiti operations in 1994:

http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Poland/Unit_Profile.htm

Dzenkuje bardzo, GROM

[Just mythoughts]

"Yes, you are correct. In fact, captured post war documents outline Frances (pre-war) intentions to argue for the dropping of all Sanctions against Iraq, thus opening the door for their pending lucrative oil contracts to go live."

Wonder if President Bush gave old shackChirac a little show and tell? Maybe that is why old shackChirac panties were in such a bunch.

"France and Germany would never have agreed to the invasion of Iraq, ten's of billions of dollars were at stake - far more important than the liberation of 35 million people."

Well we can't leave out the hidden part that Russia played as well they had more to loose than the French and Germans.

"Kerry believes he could have convinced the French to go along with us. What naive and ignorant thinking."


I actually read JFKerry the other way that he could have convinced the US to go along with the French.



"The only thing I'm sure of is that Kerry will become Chirac's "bitch" within a year after taking office - if he should win."

I think that JFKerry is already "Chirac's "bitch" and a win will make it official.

[ken5050]

Laying the predicate for an "insanity" defense?" perhaps...

[alnitak]

Well, almost :-)

[Cultural Jihad]

Well, I am sure the more Hispanophobic members of FR now view Saddam as their drinking buddy...

Ah, despicable people, those misdemeanor resident dishwashers and lawn-clippers: the REAL terrorists!

[Mr. Thorne]

I'll have to pass that tidbit on to my wife.

The Latin Bomb will be proud of her fellow boriqueños (sp).

[lillybet]

Everybody should read this book about The French, Saddam was sure France would have the power to save him, thats the big mistake he made, he is still stunned by the American invasion, he was so sure they would never do it thats how he stayed home, and never left the country. So when the bias media describe the look on his face as disorientated, its more like, He cant believe whats happened. They got me this time, I am so glad hes alive to see it.

[prairiebreeze]

Good analysis Diogenesis. More accurate than many would like to admit.

Prairie

[Verginius Rufus]

In other words, if France had supported the US, perhaps Saddam could have been induced to go into comfortable exile and the war would have been unnecessary...although Saddam has a track record of never doing the logical thing.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[BluH2o]

Who says Saddam's bribes to the french & germans didn't buy him any information?

Information and protection ... don't worry Saddam keep the cash flowing to our Swiss bank accounts and we'll take care of the United States. We'll keep the Americans tied up at the UN for years.

[shhrubbery!]

Sorry, I have watched entirely to much Monty Python in my life.

(Sorry, I have too.)

[RGSpincich]

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.

Hey fellas. That was just a TV show. It doesn'r really work. Inject the fool.

[azhenfud]

"He thought no president would have the guts to invade a country in the Mid-East. He thought wrong."

No - that's not what the article says.

Saddam figured the uncertainty of weapons would keep fanatic islamites he'd offended at bay WHILE the UN (entity of irrelevance) would keep the US and our allies hamstrung. It worked with Bubba, but he misunderestimated Bush.

BTW, I had posted an article months ago where my Egyptian friend explained this to me and I relayed it to my fellow FReepers. I'll repost it if Jim says okay...

Jim, FREEREPUBLIC should be credited for bringing this out first! FREEREPUBLIC is AWESOME!

[finnman69]

Just as Bin laden thought we would never come after him, Saddam incorrectly assumed the same.

Qaddafi figured it out and foled up his WMD shop.

The Iranians, Syrians and North Koreans are now paying close attention.

[Jaxter]

"Anyone who truly understood "El Hombre Tejas" and the Prime Minister would have realised - the game was up."

Yes, he misunderestimated both of them.

[bray]

Wonder if Iraq govt has any cancelled checks to Jack Sherock??? And why exactly are the surrender monkeys on the Security Counsel anyway??

Pray for W and Our Troops