Posted on 05/05/2005 8:56:24 AM PDT by kellynla
The London-based Arabic newspaper Al Quds is reporting in its Tuesday edition that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld secretly met former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein during a surprise visit to Iraq two weeks ago.
The purpose of the meeting, says the newspaper, was to seek Saddam's "assistance" in calling off the stepped-up attacks by Iraqi insurgent forces.
More than 75 Iraqi military and civilians have been killed since a new government was formed in the war-torn nation.
In return for Saddam's "cooperation," the U.S. was willing to "resurrect" an offer made by President George W. Bush in March 2003. Namely, Saddam could leave Iraq and live in exile free from prosecution.
It is also reported that Saddam was not convinced the deal was "real" and refused the Rumsfeld offer.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon shot down the report. Still, Rumsfeld's surprise visit "to see the troops" in Iraq has some doubters.
Iraqi diplomatic sources confirm to NewsMax that while Saddam does not control the "insurgency," he still has "influential" people within the movement.
"The Saddamites" do have a lot of influence, one Iraqi diplomat told NewsMax.
While the insurgents have numerous sources of finance, money hidden by Saddam is still significant in funding their operations.
Estimates of money hidden by the former Iraqi strongman range from several million to hundreds of millions of dollars, say State Department sources.
Saddam, in prison since December 2003, is expected to go on trial toward the end of 2005.
If convicted of "crimes against humanity," he could receive the death penalty.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
For?
Saddam...who else?
Don't believe it.
What nonsense. I'd bet pleanty that the whole story is a fabrication.
I realize that this is NewsMax but no way do I see Rummy asking Saddam for help. The meeting I have pictured is entirely different!
Just checking.
I thought you may have been calling for Rummy's head.
BTW... this story is crap.
This is as reliable as a 60-minutes story
Well I don't report it, I just post it. LOL
I'm sure Rummy will be asked about it in his next press conference.
This is nonsense.
yeah...
I can't wait to see the lightning bolts coming out of his eyes with his answer either :)
I know, it is just a ZOT pic, but I wish it could happen...
I don't think Saddam has many followers left above ground. Even the Sunni's that are still fighting aren't foolish enough to think that Saddam will return.
Neither do I. Saddam would jump at that deal if it were offered. It would be a win-win situation for him. He could tell the terrorists to stop then relocate to another country where a couple years later he could resurface as a symbol of the old regime. He'd still have followers. Look how long Hitler has been dead and we still have loony Nazis all over the world. I don't believe that this is the best plan we could come up with.
"I don't think Saddam has many followers left above ground. Even the Sunni's that are still fighting aren't foolish enough to think that Saddam will return"
The bad guys are just in it for the money.
And the fanatic suicide bombers have nothing to live for.
You don't see Osama out there in front leading the troops do you? Of course not, he's got bucks. Let the dumb losers who have nothing to live for blow up themselves and whoever else is in the area at the time.
Semper Fi,
Kelly
This "story" wins the award for "most quotes," "ever."
headsonpikes' nominee for Understatement of the Day.
;^)
Consider the source. This story is bovine excrement.
This is ridiculous. Rumsfeld hasn't finished with his negotiations with Michael Jackson yet. First things first.
Please read the intro of this article- " The London based Arabic newspaper Al Quds is reporting..." I do agree with your assessment, though!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.