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."

[Joe Hadenuf]

I just hope when all is done, there is enough left of him to identify, otherwise we will be hearing about Sadam doing the Elvis thing for the next 40 years....

[eddie willers]

I love Rummy!

I've had a secret wish that if we caught Bin Laden, Rummy would hold a press conference standing next to him and under the hot lights....smiling that smile... take out a knife and slit his throat right on National TV.

Wouldn't that shake up a few folks?

[BunnySlippers]

It would free the Iraqis, and as an added bonus, drive Hillary nuts.

Imagine GW cleaned up Afghanistan, hopefully Iraq ... and, dare I think ... North Korea.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

That would sure keep me out of Burger King in Kalamazoo for the rest of my life!

[Kevin Curry]

If he escaped, he's living a strangely charmed life. Hitler, too, proved impossible to kill on his enemies' terms. Late in the war he escaped an assasination attempt when a briefcase filled with powerful exploslives was detonated beneath a large oak table he was standing next to. The explosion killed or maimed several other people in the room but all it did physically to Hitler was fracture his eardums and scorch and shred some of his clothing.

[skinkinthegrass]

As long as we're wishing...Saddam and his 2 sons, honey-drenched in 85 deg. stinky, cloudy day, each of them tied and staked-out over an fire ant nest in TX, while people are eating BBQ and coke-cola cheering on the ants...but, that just me... :)

[CindyDawg]

Probably him but if it was post air mail you think he would have been raving and taunting GW that he missed.

[BunnySlippers]

Don't forget that Guiliani actually ASKED to kill Osama, if found. But I really like that (unknown) Freeper's suggestion that they be transported to a room with a dozen of "New York's finest" ... and a case of plungers. :)

[John Jorsett]

Being blown to bits seems like far too merciful a death for this monster or his two spawn.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Hehehe.....

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Can't we raise the temperature and get rid of the clouds?

[Klein-Bottle]

While we did not get Saddam in the strike, it did kill a leader of the Palestine Liberation Front. Probably got some of the Iraqis he was meeting with too.

Can you say proven terrorist connection?

[Carolina]

They're all waiting for shock and awe. And it's not happening.

Was listening to NPR radio this afternoon and the military guy was saying, "Why waste assets if we don't have to."

NPR announcer did not like that.

[rs79bm]

Okay, we seem to know that he was in the building. There were at least 20-25 bombs dropped on that building or the vicinity, including 2 bunker busters and numerous cruise missiles. So, one would assume he is buried or dead?

[sonofatpatcher2]

Looking forward
to meeting the fella!

[eddie willers]

and a case of plungers. :)

LOL

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Let him have the same fate as the 3000 in the World Trade Center.

I bet even his DNA is evil.

[JoJo Gunn]

"Oh yes, festering, stinking uncurable boils would be a nice bonus."

You're describing a typical Leftist America hater. So we need to look in the jail cells in the Sodom by the Bay. He's one of the 500 or so arrested today. :)

[APBaer]

I'd like to see him hung upside down from a light pole with wire,
kind of like Mussolini was after WWII.

Con permission.

[DesertCoyote]

Could we send a pack of coyotes over to the iraq desert so they can find his rotting corpse?