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Saddam son 'was poised to topple dad'
Agence France-Presse ^ | 03-03-2005

Posted on 03/04/2005 6:59:45 AM PST by robowombat

Saddam son 'was poised to topple dad' From correspondents in Los Angeles 03-03-2005 From: Agence France-Presse THE eldest son of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was plotting to overthrow his father just as US troops advanced on Baghdad in March 2003, journalist Peter Arnett claimed in Playboy magazine.

Uday Hussein, known for his ruthlessness and flashy lifestyle, had won the support of the leadership of his father's Fedayeen militia to overthrow Saddam's 35-year rule, according to an advance copy of the April edition of Playboy obtained by AFP. The controversial reporter, who was fired by the US Cable News Network in 2003 after suggesting the US war plan in Iraq had failed, made the claim following an 18-month investigation in which he says he gained access to Uday Hussein's inner circle.

The article cited a letter from Saddam Fedayeen commander General Maki Humudat, dated March 26, 2003, in which he swore allegiance to a new Iraqi government under the control of Fedayeen chief Uday Hussein.

"According to your direction and command to form a new government under the leadership of your Excellency (Uday), we have informed all the senior officers of the Saddam Fedayeen of your desire to appoint them as your candidates for office in your government," the letter said.

Uday had planned to announce his seizure of the crumbling reins of power later the same day, but was thwarted when US jets bombed his Youth TV studios in Baghdad, according to Arnett.

The ambitious heir had even formed a shadow government on the outskirts of his father's capital Baghdad, that was disguised under the cover of his powerful Iraqi National Olympic Committee and funded by murky oil deals, he said.

According to Arnett, the oldest son of the Iraqi dictator had long been chafing under his father's iron fisted rule and blamed his father for the punishing international sanctions on the country.

"Though it has not been reported until now, Uday Hussein was the biggest proponent of regime change inside Iraq," Arnett wrote.

"During the previous 10 years, he had slowly assembled the elements of power; military; military; and political management, designed to overthrow his tyrannical father," said the reporter who was in Baghdad as US troops approached following the launch of the March 19, 2003 US-led attack.

But, according to the journalist, Uday's coup plan came too late as US-led forces were just days away from the Iraqi capital.

He and his younger brother, Qusay, were forced to flee Baghdad along with their father as the Baath party military machine collapsed ahead of the US seizure of the city in early April.

Uday and Qusay were killed in a blistering battle in the northern city of Mosul on July 22, 2003, while Saddam Hussein was captured alive in his home town of Tikrit in December later that year.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: arnett; duplicate; iraq; peterarnett; uday
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The latest from baby milk factory warrior Peter Arnett
1 posted on 03/04/2005 6:59:45 AM PST by robowombat
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To: robowombat

Peter has been snorting alot more then powdered baby's milk.


2 posted on 03/04/2005 7:02:27 AM PST by ARCADIA (Abuse of power comes as no surprise)
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To: robowombat

Its convenient that all they mention was that he was "flashy" and "ruthless" but then vaguely hint that he was going to return Iraq to greatness through peaceful means.

God help us, he would've been worse than Saddam. Time to break out the videos of what he did to the athletes and common people of that poor country.


3 posted on 03/04/2005 7:03:21 AM PST by ruiner
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To: robowombat

Sure Peter. What ever you say.............


4 posted on 03/04/2005 7:04:35 AM PST by Sunshine Sister
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To: robowombat
How would replacing Saddam with Uday have changed anything?

Uday was just as bad as his old man.

5 posted on 03/04/2005 7:04:41 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: robowombat
"Though it has not been reported until now, Uday Hussein was the biggest proponent of regime change inside Iraq," Arnett wrote.

When Bush wanted regime change, it was a bad thing;

6 posted on 03/04/2005 7:05:25 AM PST by LongElegantLegs (Please be nice; I'm a n00b)
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Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: robowombat
[Peter Arnett] says he gained access to Uday Hussein's inner circle.

And how did Baghdad gain this supposed access? Or was Arnett really a Fedayeen agent all along? Hmmm...

8 posted on 03/04/2005 7:07:11 AM PST by Obadiah
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To: LongElegantLegs

Or maybe worse. Uday thought Dad was going soft...


9 posted on 03/04/2005 7:09:39 AM PST by Yo-Yo
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To: robowombat

Whether this is true or not, I've always found it curious that the sons and father were in separate locations when cornered. Appears their "loyals" weren't so loyal after all.


10 posted on 03/04/2005 7:10:46 AM PST by sarasota
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To: robowombat
It's true. Baghdad Bob told me the story himself as the valiant Iraqi army was destroying the U.S. forces at the beginning of the war. Right about the time Arnett was admitting the US's feeble attempt at overthrowing Saddam was misjudged.

Arnett should get a job working for Al-Jazeera or one of those other propaganda stations.

11 posted on 03/04/2005 7:12:32 AM PST by NYCRebublican (No more Slimes)
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To: robowombat

This Uday?

12 posted on 03/04/2005 7:12:51 AM PST by Repealthe17thAmendment (Is this field required?)
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To: Obadiah
And how did Baghdad gain this supposed access? Or was Arnett really a Fedayeen agent all along? Hmmm...

Sounds like we have an Iraqi 'Deep Throat' somewhere in Baghdad.

Bob Woodward must be proud.

13 posted on 03/04/2005 7:13:45 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: robowombat

Where's the BARF alert!

Geez!

First, I read a headline that Colorado College takes down DU and then I read this crap.

Maybe Uday told Michael Moore that he dreamt of a day where Iraqi kids would play with kites in the meadows.


14 posted on 03/04/2005 7:13:52 AM PST by Eagle of Liberty ("Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind." —Albert Einstein)
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To: robowombat
FOR ARNET-THE-DUMB

FLASHBACKS -- This Iraqi man is receiving members of his family cut into pieces
and placed in six cotton bags.
These murders were approved by Annan and the UN for decades.


The actual tools used in Saddam's torturing chambers as approved by Annan and the UN for decades.


Baghdad - Iraqi Olympic Committee shows torture equipment
used by Uday before Iraq's liberation by America

In Baghdad, Iraq, an Iraqi Olympic Committee official
demonstrates a steel mask and other torture equipment at Al-Shaab Stadium, Saturday, July 24, 2004.
These torture devices were routinely used by Saddam Hussein's son, Uday,
to torture Olympic athletes whose performance failed to meet his expectations.
Only America stopped this torture. The mainstream media is silent.


15 posted on 03/04/2005 7:14:21 AM PST by Diogenesis (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: robowombat
According to Arnett, the oldest son of the Iraqi dictator had long been chafing under his father's iron fisted rule and blamed his father for the punishing international sanctions on the country.

Where's the proof, Arnett? Where's the proof?
16 posted on 03/04/2005 7:15:25 AM PST by Eagle of Liberty ("Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind." —Albert Einstein)
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To: robowombat

Putz Arnett has no idea what he's talking about:

In that interview just days before Baghdad fell, he said the US war plan was failing. "Clearly, the American war planners misjudged the determination of the Iraqi forces," he said

Interesting that the Agence France-Presse article ends two sentences earlier than this one:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1514&u=/afp/iraqusudaycoup&printer=1


17 posted on 03/04/2005 7:16:45 AM PST by Archytekt
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: robowombat

Uday and Qusay are eadday.


19 posted on 03/04/2005 7:25:51 AM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets (Deadcheck the embeds first.)
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To: robowombat
It's just so funny to watch the anti-war crowd flail away while trying to justify their opposition to the war.

EVEN IF proven true that Uday was about to depose Saddam, it only serves to provide evidence that THERE WAS NO BENIGN FACTION which had the ability to change the regime in Iraq.

In what way, Mr Arnett, would America have been safer with this proven psycho at the helm of Iraq?

20 posted on 03/04/2005 7:28:20 AM PST by wayoverontheright
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