Posted on 06/29/2003 3:40:16 PM PDT by demlosers
The former Iraqi information minister Mohammed Saeed Al Sahhaf was paid US$200,000 to give his first interview since the war.
Al Arabiya, a television station based in Dubai, admitted that it deposited the money in a local bank account held by Sahhaf's son.
"We were trying to get the interview for several weeks. We managed to get his agreement but only after we gave him some promises and $200,000," the Gulf News quoted Dr. Saad Al Hasani, head of Al Arabiya's Baghdad bureau, as saying.
"He was very gentle and relaxed, but when it came to the end of the interview he was very tough.
"He got all the tapes and took them outside to make a phone call to his son. He asked if the money had been paid into his bank account, and when his son said, 'Yes, it is OK', he gave us the tapes back."
Only in America...or Iraq or whatever!
We don't know that. Our guys had him in custody, and they didn't even want to keep him.
Americans admire even a loser if he stays at his post and plays to the last second as hard as he can. This guy did that. When the rest of those snakes had already packed up and snuck out of Dodge, he was still standing there gamely doing his job, even with the tanks rolling up behind him. He's probably no angel, but I think people like the guy for the same reason they like a goalie who busts his butt to block a last-minute shot, when his team is already down 55-0. Plus he has a way with words.
And now time for the
FUTURE NEWS
The date foreseen is 8/22/03
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Newly elected Iraqi President Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf a.k.a. "Baghdad Bob" meets the master.
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Baghdad- Former US President Bill Clinton arrived at Jessica Lynch International Airport in Baghdad this morning for what was to begin a month long training seminar with the newly elected Iraqi President Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf a.k.a. "Baghdad Bob". Bob won a resounding victory in last weeks elections for President of the newly established Iraqi government when it was decided by the Iraqi people to follow the example of the US and institute a system of Democracy despite severe comdemnations from France and Hollywood. Among the most vocal opponents of this were actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins who were said by their publicist to be in Iraq at this very moment "absolutely outraged" by this decision, traveling around by limosine with a 100 person entourage that incuded the press, personal chefs, a masseuse, a hairdresser, bodyguards, and a tailor demanding that the Iraqi people see the benefits of tyranny.
On the other hand, while pleased by this choice of government by the Iraqi people, the election of "Baghdad Bob" as President caught Washington completely by suprise being that Bob was well known for his outrageous claims during Operation Iraqi Freedom. But as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld pointed out earlier this week, "It was up to the people of Iraq to decide who should lead their country, and that`s just what they did, so we wash our hands of it and lets just leave it at that. It`s better than who was leading Iraq last time." Meanwhile outside protesters were blocking traffic again shouting slogans against US imperialism.
What was most suprising though was when the new Iraqi President made a phone call to of all people former US President Bill Clinton for some advice in regards to "technique" when dealing with a now free press."I am a big fan" said the Iraqi President, "and I always looked up to you as a role model." Clinton flattered, not only gave advice, but he also agreed to travel to Baghdad to personally give BB some pointers. Appearing last week on Larry King live, Clinton had this to say of Baghdad Bob, "He`s good, I`ll give him that. He`s got a lot of talent and nerve, and a good outlook, but he`s still a little rough around the edges and there`s a lot I can show him to smooth him out, bring out the fine qualities that any Democrat would be proud to have as a leader." When Larry croaked, "Whaaat do you mean?" Clinton replied, "His deflection techniques for one thing could use some work. There`s the possibility that a vast muslim wing conspiracy could try to unsurp his power by questioning his mental stability during Operation Iraqi freedom, so I`m going to teach him the boundless limits of linguistic definitive structures for a start. For example when Bob said "The American infidels hold no place in Iraq, this is an illusion" he should have put more emphasis on the word "is" because it all depends on what the the definition of the word "is" is. This is an illusion is quite different from this is an illusion." "Yes yes", said Larry as he listened intently to the master.
Day one was met with the usual formalities as Bob met up with Clinton in the now rebuilt palace of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. It was there that they went right to work while the Clinton sat on the sidelines and critiqued Bobs answering techniques from a mock group of reporters. When one reporter inquired about why Bob made the ridiculous statement that "American troops were commiting suicide at the walls of Baghdad" when it was quite obvious they were not, Bob replied "They -are-is-too." Clinton told Bob to stop right there, that his technique was on the mark in that he did not admit to deception, but he made the mistake of "leaving the door open" so to speak in that it did not "finalize" the exchange. It was then that the master arose to to demonstrate.
As Bob watched in amazement, Clinton asked the reporter to ask the same question again, only this time Clinton himself would answer. The reporter complied and went ahead, "Mr. President, why did you make the ridiculous statement that American troops were commiting suicide at the walls of Baghdad when it was obvious they were not?" Clinton biting his lip, raised his hand in the patent Elvis manner that conveyed power, then began speaking showing his world renowned expertise at expert deflection with the form style of the non answer while making it feel like an answer by syllable emphasis and expertly timed tone fluctuation, "I did not say that! What I said was that they were commiting suicide at the walls of Baghdad, or didn`t you hear me?" A look of confusion crossed the reporters face as the master immediately said "Next question" pointing at another reporter. Clinton insisted that Bob try again. Bob walked to the podium as a smile crossed his face as he now understood the technique a bit more and with renewed confidence told the reporter to ask him the same question again.
The reporter shook his head, sighed then asked "Why did you make the ridiculous statement that American troops were commiting suicide at the walls of Baghdad when it was obvious they were not?" Bob, putting his glasses on for emphasis raised his hand up in the Elvis manner as taught and said," "I did not say that! What I said was that they were commiting suicide at the walls of Baghdad, or didn`t you hear me? Next question" "Yes yes!!!" replied Clinton as he rose. "Now you`ve got it, very good". As the day progressed Bob was showing fine form as he deflected question after question from the press like a pro. "Bill Clinton is the master and it`s amazing what people will take as an answer. I can never thank him enough!"
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