U.S. Negotiates Directly With Iraqi Commanders (buildings designated as safe zones for defectors)

Washington Post ^ | March 21st, 2003 | Dana Priest and Walter Pincus

[Sabertooth]

In an intensified effort to divide Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from his inner circle, U.S. military and intelligence officers in recent days have communicated with Iraqi commanders and they have secretly designated buildings in the capital for defectors to occupy, promising they will not be targeted in U.S. airstrikes, senior U.S. officials said today.

U.S. military and intelligence officers also have gained promises from some Iraqi commanders that they would not fire chemical weapons at American ground forces, the officials said, although U.S. officials said they are monitoring one Republican Guard unit outside Baghdad that they believe has been issued artillery shells filled with chemical agents.

[Sabertooth]

To view the article without looging on to the WP, go here, and click on the headline "U.S. Negotiates Directly With Iraqi Commanders."

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[Torie]

Odd that the unit is outside Bagdad. I would put them in and amongst lots of civilians myself if I were the prince of darkness. One doesn't want to be in a lonely place when doing this sort of thing.

[sinkspur]

Somebody studied Sun-Tzu before this war.

If this war ends as meekly as it's been fought so far, it will be studied by military historians for centuries to come.

The psy-ops is brilliant!

[PFKEY]

The all too real potential for use of WMD is just around the corner for our troops as they approach Baghdad.

[CheneyChick]

This is so amazing to see the war being run with such precision, flexibility and compassion. The enemy has been studied very carefully.

[Sabertooth]

If this war ends as meekly as it's been fought so far, it will be studied by military historians for centuries to come.

The psy-ops is brilliant!

So far, so good. I hope it doesn't look so easy that people don't appreciate just how risky the stakes are.

[Sabertooth]

The campaign to encourage defections within the Iraqi leadership includes activating phone trees between Iraqi commanders and relatives living outside those parts of Iraq controlled by the Hussein government who are being used as conduits for U.S. information, intelligence sources said. It also includes Internet and short wave radio communications and hand-delivered messages being brought into Baghdad by individuals who frequently visit the capital.

Asked how the Iraqi inner circle would surrender if it wanted to, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said only: "They know precisely what to do."

[marlin]

i've been wondering why there hasn't been a sun tzu thread - this whole process has been dang near straight from the book

marlin

[concerned about politics]

Note to Appeasement Activists: Iraqis Cheer U.S. Troops

[Nita Nuprez]

The psy-ops is brilliant!

My thoughts exactly. If Saddam is still alive, he's spending every waking moment in a state of paranoia. LOL!

[EaglesUpForever]

loose lips sink ships. The terrorists are still reading the koran, which is hardly much of a guide to anything, especially war strategy. Let that continue until the last one surrenders.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Sounds good, Saber. Thanks so much for the update!

[Scott from the Left Coast]

A high risk,, high payoff game that requires incredible on-going, real time intelligence capability -- because the opportunities for double-cross are plentiful and the results of double-cross possibly quite harmful (on the chemical weapons issue).

However, on the other side of the coin, if, as appears inevitable, we succeed invest Baghdad fully, then these communications, even if unreliable and insincere of the Iraqis part, will have done no particular harm. Targets avoided at this point to provide safe-havens can be picked off individually at leisure during the siege.

It'd be a bummer, however temporary, if Saddam or a son were wounded and holed up in one of those safe places.

[Cboldt]

I hope it doesn't look so easy that people don't appreciate . . .

It looks easy. But only fools think it is easy. This is the most serious, ultimate high stakes game known to man.

[Cboldt]

It'd be a bummer, however temporary, if Saddam or a son were wounded and holed up in one of those safe places.

I'm sure, if an offer is made, that it is clearly understood the presence of Saddam or sons or others changes the nature of the space from "safe."

[bigdog]

The terrorists are still reading the koran, which is hardly much of a guide to anything, especially war strategy. Let that continue until the last one surrenders. is killed.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Well, yeah, for sure, if we knew they were there. That's one of the double-crosses that are possible with this sort of thing (and not the worst, by a far shake).

[justshe]

I can't find that headline on your link. Am I blind?