Saddam loyalists in Basra want to surrender - paper

Reuters | 4/05/03

[kattracks]

Saddam loyalists in Basra want to surrender - paper

BAGHDAD, April 5 (Reuters) - Leaders of President Saddam Hussein's ruling Baath Party in Iraq's second city Basra want to surrender to British military forces besieging the city, a pan-Arab newspaper said on Saturday.

Asharq al-Aswat said that Baath Party leaders in the city had passed a message to a Shi'ite cleric, Mohammed al-Bosslimi, saying they were afraid of reprisals from the citizens of Basra and wanted to arrange a surrender if Baghdad fell.

"They are afraid but they say that as soon as Baghdad falls they will surrender," the newspaper quoted the cleric as saying. It said he had met 12 of the high-ranking leaders of the Baath two days ago.

He said the Baath Party leaders could also surrender if U.S.-led forces entered the city.

"The problem is that the hated party members want to be protected from the anger of the public if they give up their weapons," al-Bosslimi said.

British forces have been besieging the city of 1.5 million almost since the Iraqi war began on March 20.

They had hoped the city's Shi'ite Muslim majority might rise up against forces loyal to Saddam, a Sunni Muslim, as they did in 1991 after the Gulf War.

But that rebellion was crushed after hoped-for U.S. support never came and analysts say locals are too unsure of the future to risk another uprising.

Instead, British forces have adopted a tactic of brief incursions into the city to try to target Saddam loyalists and gunmen.

04/05/03 00:31 ET

[JohnHuang2]

Good catch, kats -- Saddam's house of cards tumbling..

[kattracks]

I really think they know Saddam is no longer with us.

[Cold Heat]

LOL! They are dead men walking!

[Paleo Conservative]

"They are afraid but they say that as soon as Baghdad falls they will surrender," the newspaper quoted the cleric as saying. It said he had met 12 of the high-ranking leaders of the Baath two days ago.

By that time coalition forces may have killed all the Saddamites in Basra.

[JohnHuang2]

Good point.

[kattracks]

One can only hope.

[Publius]

Looks like we scared the Shi'ite out of them.

[TD911]

Payback's a bitch.

They don't honestly expect us to protect them after they've shelled people trying to leave the city.

[antaresequity]

Paris model

Excellent work Ivan

[musicman]

I can envision the coallitions response:

"Dear Former Iraqi Gov't Members,

Thanks for your questions and concerns about your future "employment" troubles and options.To tell you the truth, we have been a little busy as of late, trying to fix an "operational pause" we have had for the last six days or so. If you could just "HANG TIGHT", we'll get back to you, ASAP....Okey Dokey? Thanks!!"

oh yeah...kattracks bump!!

[antaresequity]

This is outstanding news. The Brits have capped Basra and kept up stead pressure...and the word on the street is that Sadam is going down...

30 years of tyranical rule has shown us opressed afraid to stand up, and henchmen afraid to lay down arms...

We have reached the tipping point...

Critical mass is around the corner

This whole thing will be over soon

[Spruce]

The end.

[Walkingfeather]

I SEE DEAD PEOPLE....

[DoughtyOne]

Let them surrender. Take them into custody. Then hold military tribunals or war crimes trials with locals able to testify against them.

These Bath officials are afraid for one reason. They are either criminals, war criminals or both.

They must be subject to justice or the locals will never trust us again.

[Texasforever]

They must be subject to justice or the locals will never trust us again.

Yup.

[CyberAnt]

"afraid of reprisals from the citizens of Basra"

And they should be. I think I heard the same thing happening at Najaf, where those guys are holed up in the mosque.

[SBprone]

What to do, what to do?

They must be on their last legs or they wouldn't be talking about surrender. On the other hand, it would sure be nice and convenient if they could all be killed.

I guess what it comes down to is can they still make enough trouble in their present state that it's worthwhile to take them alive. Alive, they will be well cared for by the Brits, they will get a fair trial and who knows, they might even be spared a hanging when worldwide opinion kicks in.

On the other hand, are these murdering bastards worth the life of even one Brit?

It's a tough choice if you ask me.

[Squantos]

Ditto what you said....wanted to arrange a surrender if Baghdad fell...Surrender now if you want to survive.

Stay Safe !