Hussein's Fate Still Unknown ( But he was probably in the building when it blew up )

Washington Post ^ | 3-20-2003 | Pincus, Woodward

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

U.S. intelligence officials believe Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, possibly accompanied by one or both of his powerful sons, was still inside a compound in southern Baghdad early yesterday when it was struck by a barrage of U.S. bombs and cruise missiles.

But intelligence analysts in Washington and operatives working in the region were not certain whether the Iraqi leader was killed or injured or escaped the attack, according to senior Bush administration officials, who worked yesterday to analyze a videotape of an appearance by Hussein broadcast on Iraqi television within hours of the pre-dawn bombardment.

"The preponderance of the evidence is he was there when the building blew up," said one senior U.S. official with access to sensitive intelligence. The official added that Hussein's sons, Qusay and Uday, may also have been at the compound. "He didn't get out" beforehand, another senior official said of the Iraqi president.

A third administration official said "there is evidence that he [Hussein] was at least injured" because of indications that medical attention was urgently summoned on his behalf. The condition of Hussein's sons, and any others who may have been at the compound, was also unknown, officials said.

While U.S. intelligence monitored Iraqi government communications and movements yesterday to pick up signs of Hussein's fate, the administration's attention was focused on the television appearance by Hussein in which he stated yesterday's date and made reference to "dawn" and an attack by the United States. ave Iraq."

[Russian Sage]

"Tenet defended the quality of the information although others at the session described it as "too good to be true,"...

This sounds like a virtual coup.  I think our human intellegence is more or less in charge and just trying to hang on until we get there.

Just my speculation.

[DaughterofEve]

Maybe we can use that in the Musical version of "Shock and Awe!" Let me know if you have any ideas on casting.

[dfwgator]

He's dead, Jim.

[freekitty]

No Hollywood's economy needs a boost. How about we not give it to them.

[Barnacle]

I was praying he and his sons would stand trial.

I pray that God's will be done. Rest assured, it will be "The Mother of all Trials".

[John Jorsett]

Have you heard of hell? He might be there now - and forever for that matter.

I don't think it would be a bad thing if he got there via shredder.

[RJayneJ]

LOL