New ID and new life in US for informer

Evening Standard (London) ^ | 7/24/03

[saquin]

The man believed to have tipped off the U.S. about the hideout of Saddam's sons is likely to be paid all or most of the £20million reward, American officials said last night.

Nawaf Al Zaidan, 47, his wife, three daughters and two sons will also be given a new life in the U.S.

They have been put in ' protective custody' in Iraq and are believed to be living at a U.S. base in the south of the country.

Under the terms of the reward, promised for information leading to the capture or killing of Uday and Qusay Hussein, the U.S. will give the family new identities.

Within the next few days, they will be flown to America. For the first year, they will probably live on a military base where they will be given English lessons and be schooled in American culture.

They will be given financial counselling and advised on how best to invest their wealth.

When they are ready, the family will be allowed to move to any part of the country they wish and will receive help to settle into their new home.

All will be given 'permanent residence' status - green cards - and will be eligible to become American citizens in five years.

They will be strongly advised never to contact any of their family or friends in Iraq ever again.

There will always be the fear that Saddam loyalists will try to track them down and kill them.

Mr Zaidan, who owns the house where Saddam's sons were killed, comes from a family notorious for claiming falsely to be 'cousins' of Saddam - not a blood relative, but a member of the same tribe.

Mr Zaidan had said he was from the same tribe as Saddam, according to neighbours.

[smith288]

Although I am concerned about his persistent claims of being in Saddams tribe, I think it was more just out of prestige and not out of sympathy (obviously...or two brats from hell wouldnt be in hell).

He will be watched by our govt for a little while after he moves to the US, I assume.

[Hostage]

How on earth was this ever leaked? Or is it some speculation? Even if towns people suspected the building owner of informing, how is it that the source of this report could ever verify with the US Army all the setails mentioned?

[Frank_Discussion]

"He will be watched by our govt for a little while after he moves to the US, I assume."

Yep, I would expect that pragmatic action. I am glad they guy turned in the little murderous sh*ts, and he deserves the money and new life. But he's from Saddamy's tribe and still turned in his sons? There's no way in a million years would I trust him.

[luckymom]

I'm relieved to hear that the reward and relocating is happening quickly. Hopefully it will inspire someone to rat on Daddy-o so we can eliminate him as well.

[smith288]

But he's from Saddamy's tribe and still turned in his sons? There's no way in a million years would I trust him.

No, he only CLAIMED he was... He wasnt.

[HAL9000]

Hey Saddam - this is your cousin HAL9000! Come stay at my house, I'll take good care of you - heh heh.

[El Conservador]

30M, and green cards for him and his family???

Wow, where do you think he'll move???

Will he open a Middle Eastern food chain???

For me, he's the luckiest bastard on Earth!!!

[Delbert]

Will he open a Middle Eastern food chain??? <---KFC ?(Kentucky Fried Camel) McAllahs?

[daviddennis]

In all fairness, news reports made it pretty obvious even to the civilians on FR that he was the informer.

If Uday came to your house and insisted on staying for a while, I'll bet you'd become an informer in short order, too.

Uday's company is pretty dangerous.

D