Posted on 07/02/2004 5:00:09 AM PDT by MadIvan
Saddam Hussein believed that Iraq would never be invaded because the US would get bogged down in "interminable debate at the UN", his interrogators believe.
The ousted dictator thought that the uncertainty about his weapons arsenal would prevent his neighbours from invading, while the US would be stuck in negotiations about launching an attack an intelligence official claimed.
Although the interrogations of Saddam have yielded little about whether he recently possessed weapons of mass destruction, they have provided a fascinating insight into aspects of his life and leadership.
During interrogation sessions, Saddam suggested that he ordered the 1990 invasion of Kuwait to keep his army busy.
He appeared to fear giving officers too much time without being occupied by combat.
An intelligence official also told the newspaper that interrogators believe Saddam was shocked when the coalition attacked and then invaded Iraq in March last year.
The officials said Saddam believed that ambiguity about his weapons programmes "would keep the neighbours at bay, while the US would be hung up in interminable debate at the UN".
During one session he appeared to boast that he had infiltrated the Iraqi National Congress, the exile organisation which pressed for the invasion of Iraq.
While there were no physical methods of coercion used, psychological tactics were employed.
Sometimes, the interrogator would try to catch Saddam out by questioning him for hours, and then leaving him alone for a period of time before returning to ask just one more question.
In one session Saddam told how his son Uday had beaten to death someone who had annoyed him by playing music too loudly.
Saddam said he had Uday imprisoned in solitary confinement as punishment.
It has been widely reported that Uday bludgeoned to death his father's valet and food taster in 1988, apparently because he had introduced Saddam to the woman who became his mistress.
Despite the insights, Saddam gave little away during interrogation which would incriminate him in his trial for crimes against humanity, including genocide.
"We got very little, I would say almost nothing," said an official who served with the occupation authority.
Saddam was initially in the hands of the CIA but when it became clear he would not co-operate with them, the FBI took a greater role in questioning him, the New York Times reported.
For much of his detention Saddam's guards were reservists from Puerto Rico, who were ordered to speak only Spanish in his presence.
Syphillitic goat shagging old fool that he is - it's hard to believe he was actually in charge of anything in particular.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Who says Saddam's bribes to the french & germans didn't buy him any information?
Interminable U.N. debate = the Kerry plan/solution to all foreign policy matters.
I'm sure most thug dictators see the UN as a useful means to hogtie any efforts to thwart their regime. The UN - a dictator's best friend.
Your Prime Minister is like Wiston Churchill. If he run for the re-election, I hope he wins, in spite of being Laborist.
He was spoiled. The UN and Billy Boy danced to his tune so long, that he lost sight of a few things. Namely, that people over here are people of their word.
Dan Rather: "Mr. President, if only you knew how
much I and others at CBS support, worship, and kneel to you.
We will NEVER let American forces hurt you. We will coverup all your atrocities. Do not fear.
CBS is with you, Mr. President. Forever. Long live all tyrants."
Terrorist-Murderer Saddam: "Mr, Rather, it is absolutely remarkable that you media girly men
will repeatedly betray your own country, your own President, and even the free American people during war.
Do you realize, Mr. Rather, that for millions of Iraqis and my captives
I had to gang rape each man's child and his wife and often him,
and then burn them each in nitric acid, and then mutilate them by cutting off at least an ear,
and then force them to watch me push their children through a paper shredder
to get a fraction of your obedience and loyalty.
Mr. Rather, I used to have to remove two testicles and two arms before we have every seen such betrayal as yours.
But you and CBS, grovel to me ...... ..... for ..... for nothing.
Thank you, Mr. Rather.
Thank you. We, terrorists, al Qaeda, and Baathists worldwide."
Nobody expects the US Invasion!!
Sorry, I have watched entirely to much Monty Python in my life.
Now I can say something. In Feburary of 2003 at late night telephone ring, it was for my husband. After he finish he said "America is ready, sadam is finished I need to leave". Later did I find out what happened that day.
Polish Grom, America special forces with British were already moving. By one shot Grom moved with stealth and breath taking attack that took Irak soldiers of guard. It was so fast and so well that made Irak soldiers to put gun down. Many stories can not be say, but good one are good to let know. Precision was perfect.
Almost - he had bought off so many at the UN he EXPECTED his minions to create the QUAGMIRE.
Bush don't play that game. History will credit him with taking risks that Klintoon feigned from.
You're not alone in your condition. ;)
Regards, Ivan
That was my first thought, too!
The question is...
Will the Iraqis use The Comfy Chair on Saddam?
After the soft cushions. ;)
Regards, Ivan
;-)
'While there were no physical methods of coercion used, psychological tactics were employed.
Sometimes, the interrogator would try to catch Saddam out by questioning him for hours, and then leaving him alone for a period of time before returning to ask just one more question'
OOOOOOOoooohhhhhhhhh, someone's gonna get it......not the "one more question" torture!
Well, I am sure the more Hispanophobic members of FR now view Saddam as their drinking buddy...
It is no wonder that Saddam thought that France could "contain" the USA at the UN. His very close retaionship to French leaders goes all the way back to the Carter admin years. Timmerman has terrific sources and the connections are eye-popping.
Regards, Ivan
He thought no president would have the guts to invade a country in the Mid-East. He thought wrong.
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