Could Saddam Hussein be striking a last-minute deal?

Aljazeera ^ | April 9, 2003

[Scoop]

Iraqi president Saddam Hussein may be negotiating an eleventh-hour deal that could see him exiled to a safe country.

Speculation has rife as to whether Saddam Hussein is dead, alive, staying with his government or fleeing. In the last few minutes Lebanese television has reported that he is in the safety of the Russian embassy.

Al Jazeera's correspondent in Moscow reported earlier today that the Russian delegation that came under fire from US forces as it left Baghdad on 7 April may have been dealing with senior representatives of the Iraqi government in guaranteeing a safe exit for Saddam Hussein.

A Russian diplomat wounded in Iraq and his colleague arrive at the Russian embassy in Damascus “This explains the lack of resistance by the Republican Guard and Iraqi forces,” a Russian general told Al-Jazeera on condition of anonymity.

Akram Khouzam, Al-Jazeera’s reporter in Moscow, reports that the general's claim may explain the absence of organised resistance in Iraq, even in the capital itself where communications could not have been disrupted completely.

Baghdad had been expected to put up stiff resistance to the US-led invasion but in the event it appears to have capitulated, with the Iraqi military putting up less opposition than in more poorly defended places such as Umm Qasr and Basra.

Russian intelligence has officially denied reports that diplomats who left Baghdad last week took with them Saddam’s secret archive, saying this allegation was being made to justify the US attack on the diplomatic convoy last week.

However, the Russian general speaking by phone to Al-Jazeera said his claims were based on the cooperation of Saddam and a group of his close officials with the United States during the Iran-Iraq war and encouragement for Saddam to invade Kuwait in 1991.

[nukethepeaceniks]

According only to the Brits, he's dead. I think the CIA knows he dead, or they wouldn't be sounding so positive. If Saddam's not dead, I'll crawl to Da$$hole's house across Janeane Garafalo - and that sh!t's nasty!

[jackbill]

Sounds like maybe Al-Jazeera has hired Baghbad Bob, now that he's out of work.

[kjam22]

It makes sense if you consider that Russia is claiming that all pre-war contracts are still valid and their threat to take the US to international court if we refuse to honor the contracts. They will have Saddam Hussein and his archives to back up their claims

"MR. Saddam.. please take your place on the witness stand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth... so help you "insert diety of choice here""?????

The Russian oil deals are gone. Everything is up for renegotiation.

[Eva]

I agree with everything that you say, I was just stating what was reported from Russia, yesterday, that Russia was threatening to take the US to international court to enforce their contracts with Iraq.

[kosciuszko]

The deal is the archives. Lot of info there could hurt the Russians (as could Saddam himself and his ministers, if they start talking).

[MEGoody]

"In the last few minutes Lebanese television has reported that he is in the safety of the Russian embassy."

Bomb it.

[Grampa Dave]

He has billions salted away.

Also, this could be part of future deals with tyrants. If the tyrants buy Russian Arms and WMDs for use in war, in defeat he can run to Russia for sanctuary!

[holden]

Controls nothing

What?!?!?

He (or perhaps a body double, or any one of his wives or progeny) could perhaps (if the USA can't freeze it fast enough) control over a $1 billion in Swiss bank accounts, in my best understanding.

HF

[F.J. Mitchell]

Hey! Doesn't that part go on the other end of the horse?

[F.J. Mitchell]

"Dead man walking."

No. Dead Monster; hopping up and down-barefoot on the hot sidewalks of hell.

[F.J. Mitchell]

" Bomb it."

By all means, and without hesitation or warning. If Russia has made the choice of attempting to deny the victems of this monster, the pleasure of sentencing him to death-they either consider us to be too cowardly to stand up to them or else they have a death wish.

THey seem to share Saddam's arrogance and his stupidity.

[whadizit]

It is too late for that!

The true nature of dicatorships have shown their true colors: YELLOW!!

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Saddam Hussein may be negotiating an eleventh-hour deal

with St Peter at the golden gate?

[5by5]

Baghdad Bob isn't hiding, he's just busy preparing for his new career as a motivational speaker. First job, rallying the faithful at the '04 Democratic Presidential Convention.

[Buckeye McFrog]

If he is alive, it makes the planning of this war all the more brilliant. Perhaps we blew up an oven mitt warehouse, announced that Saddam was gone, and let events take their course. May have been the final straw that drove things over the tipping point....brilliant!

[Dead Dog]

Saddam's Undercover Proposition

[El Gato]

with St Peter at the golden gate?

I think Saddam made his deal years ago. Now the Fallen One is collecting on the debt. Saddam is likely standing on his head in a lake of boiling swine excrement and he will remain there forever.

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Ahh, lovely image...;)

[doberville]

Hey! It's better to be eaten by Rottweilers?

Wouldn't feed Hussein to my Dobies. They might CHOKE on him.

Ptttttttoui.

[annieokie]

I want to know just which one of his banks is going to believe him if he showed up to withdraw. All they have to say is YOUR DEAD, your not the real one.