[Ragtime Cowgirl]

At least you didn't turn a 3-star General into a Colonel, lol!

Stole this from the other thread, too. I don't think that CBB will mind. Another possible benefit of Tariq's surrender:

No one in the media, of course, have mentioned the most important use of Aziz. As Deputy Prime Minister, he's a high enough rank to sign an Unconditional Surrender document of the Hussein regime to the Coalition. This has a number of useful effects including the obvious right to run the Iraqi Interim Government, to put oil on the market (screw the UN if they object), to sign contracts for reconstruction, etc.

As for the negotiating technique to get Aziz to sign such a surrender, The Godfather offers the answer. "Your signature or your brains will go on this document." Or, if we want to be more polite, we give him a choice between a war crimes trial at Gitmo, or we cut him some slack if he sings like a canary and signs whatever we present to him. If we want his signature, we'll get it.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, now up on FR, "Who's Next?"

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

83 posted on 04/24/2003 4:59 PM EDT by Congressman Billybob ("Saddam has left the building. Heck, the building has left the building.")

[Kadric]

"Or, if we want to be more polite, we give him a choice between a war crimes trial at Gitmo, or we cut him some slack if he sings like a canary and signs whatever we present to him. If we want his signature, we'll get it."

I would think more along three offers.
Iraqis for trial and punishment as they see fit.
Gitmo for life.
Club Fed for a defined period.
His choice depending on how much he wants to cooperate.

I still think we should purchase Pitcairn Island from the British. Gitmo is going get filled up pretty soon.