Saddam Hussein 'Caught Like a Rat,' U.S. Commander Says

By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2003 – Saddam Hussein was "caught like a rat" and offered no resistance when U.S. soldiers captured him near Tikrit Dec. 13, the U.S. general in charge of the operation said today.

Saddam was found hiding at the bottom of a hole hidden on a farm near his hometown. Roughly 600 U.S. soldiers were involved in the operation, but no shots were fired. Two other men were captured in the compound, Maj. Gen Raymond T. Odierno, commander of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said during a press briefing in Iraq. The 4th Infantry Division is responsible for coalition operations in the Tikrit area.

Odierno surmised the pressure on Saddam had become so tight that he couldn't risk traveling with a large entourage, and therefore had no bodyguards with him. "It was him and just a couple other people with him, so he really didn't have much of a security force," the general said. "And he was in the bottom of a hole, so there was no way he could fight back, so he was just caught like a rat."

The 4th Infantry Division has been in Iraq since April, and Odierno said he believes Saddam largely had been in the Tikrit area since then. So there was "some satisfaction" in capturing the Iraqi dictator. However, he stressed, "there's still a lot of work that we have to do, and we're still focused on our tasks of defeating any regime elements who might be remaining who want to conduct attacks against coalition forces and more importantly try to stop most Iraqis from moving forward."

The most important thing for the Iraqi people now, he said, is for them to continue to move forward in their efforts to control their own country. "We continue to help the Iraqis take charge of their country, and we continue to help build the infrastructure so that they can take charge of their country," Odierno said.

In his opening statement, the general called Saddam's capture "a significant event for the Iraqi people." He said he believes most Iraqi people are relieved that Saddam has been captured. "I think there was always a (fear) that he might return, and now that he's in coalition custody there is no doubt that he will never return to power in this country," Odierno said.

"The intimidation and fear this man generated for over 30 years are now gone. Many will rest much better tonight knowing Iraq is moving forward to a more secure environment," he said. "A significant blow has been dealt to the former regime elements still trying to hamper progress in Iraq."

He also had high praise for the American soldiers who conducted the raid, as well as all U.S. service members. "I want everyone to know how proud I am of the great soldiers of the task force and the division and all the great soldiers, sailors and airmen in our armed forces," Odierno said. "They perform superbly each and every day."

1 posted on 12/14/2003 3:30:50 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

It was sweet to hear him say that this AM.

2 posted on 12/14/2003 3:32:11 PM PST by NonValueAdded ("Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." GWB 9/20/01)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Saddam Hussein 'Caught Like a DemocRat,' U.S. Commander Says. And he was caught in a RAT hole. And he was caught because someone RATTED on him.

3 posted on 12/14/2003 3:33:53 PM PST by Enterprise

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

What a Christmas Present!

Caught like a RAT!

Apt description for the 9 dwarfs.

4 posted on 12/14/2003 3:34:12 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

About time!This will have the dem/libs pooping on themselves for sure. They thought we wouldn't do it and now we have. Three cheers for our boys and girls, three more for the Prez and fly the bird to the naysayers!

5 posted on 12/14/2003 3:34:34 PM PST by nussjim2

To: MJY1288; Calpernia; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; Ernest_at_the_Beach; BOBTHENAILER; ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The DoD 'press corps' was busy today, and the headlines on this day should be posted. Stay tuned for more "DoD celebrating the good work of the troops" pings...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

6 posted on 12/14/2003 3:36:06 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ( "Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth." ~ Pres. Bush, Baghdad)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

7 posted on 12/14/2003 3:37:12 PM PST by paul in cape

Next Capture:

The Head RAT,

HILLARY

8 posted on 12/14/2003 3:38:00 PM PST by Joy Angela (Hillary is Really Angry Now: BUSH **IS** The MAN!!!!!!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

don't insult the rat

9 posted on 12/14/2003 3:38:33 PM PST by joyful1

To: paul in cape

...squeee...
*SNAP!*
*twitch*twitch*twitch*twitch*twitch*twitch*...

10 posted on 12/14/2003 3:38:46 PM PST by RichInOC (...somebody had to say it...why not me?)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Did anyone catch the Shia cleric on FOX who couldn't stop smiling? He even said Merry Christmas!

11 posted on 12/14/2003 3:42:21 PM PST by McGavin999

To: paul in cape

Can anyone stencil an overlay on the rat's back in the trap with either Dean or Clark? Could be fun to send to the ZeroCents.com site.

12 posted on 12/14/2003 3:52:21 PM PST by Cobra64 (Babes should wear Bullet Bras - www.BulletBras.net)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

13 posted on 12/14/2003 3:53:53 PM PST by yonif ("If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem, Let My Right Hand Wither" - Psalms 137:5)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

......."he was just caught like a rat."

OUR TROOPS ROCK!!!!

14 posted on 12/14/2003 3:54:14 PM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

15 posted on 12/14/2003 4:05:57 PM PST by blackie

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Saddam Hussein was "caught like a rat" and offered no resistance when U.S. soldiers captured him near Tikrit Dec. 13, the U.S. general in charge of the operation said today.

Would that be a DemonRat? At least rats, of the rodent type, will fight when cornered. I've also seen rats that wouldn't hide in a hole like the one Saddummie was hiding in. At least we know he didn't have OBL in the hole with him, not nearly enough room for two rat like things.

16 posted on 12/14/2003 4:21:14 PM PST by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

"And he was in the bottom of a hole, so there was no way he could fight back, so he was just caught like a rat."

Gee they didn't even get to us a flash bang on him, let alone a HE grenade, which is what the 'rat deserved.

I hope he talks, a lot, and on video. I also hope he's already safely in one of those wire rat cages in GitMo.

17 posted on 12/14/2003 4:23:16 PM PST by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)

Saddam Hussein 'Caught Like a DemocRat,' U.S. Commander Says. And he was caught in a RAT hole. And he was caught because someone RATTED on him.

How naughty and how I love it! :-)

18 posted on 12/14/2003 4:24:45 PM PST by ladyinred (If all the world's a stage, I want to operate the trap door!)

Why was this rat hiding in filthy hole? -All he had to do was dye his hair and beard totally white and don a Santa Claus costume.

19 posted on 12/14/2003 4:25:14 PM PST by Porath (Porath)

SandRat is an exception to the Rat rule, absolutely. (^:

I'm a hereditary pack rat, though it's one of my New Year's resolutions to toss the junk. Sigh. *g*

20 posted on 12/14/2003 5:20:55 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ( "Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth." ~ Pres. Bush, Baghdad)

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