PLUS : "We have been fully provided with complete protection gear, gas masks, first aid kit, injections."
That's not what we've been hearing from the other defectors.....they said they didn't have food and clothing, let alone gas masks and first aid kits.
Also, reports last week confirmed Saddam is paranoid about his army defecting so he's not equiping them properly.
And ... I believe the latest dozen or so who tried to defect to the British - were poorly clothed, etc., which confirms the former info that these people didn't have food, clothing or supplies.
And ... I do believe there were reports that Saddam has told certain military people to kill anyone who tries to defect.