COMMENTARY Information chief unshakable as Baghdad falls around him

SF Chronicle ^ | 4-8-03 | Ashraf Khalil, Chronicle Foreign Service

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Doha, Qatar -- Every recent war has created its share of media stars, but the most unlikely star to emerge from this one may be the quixotic Iraqi minister of information, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf.

With a roguish grin and a twinkle in his eye, al-Sahhaf has remained utterly unruffled in the face of his government's seemingly imminent demise. In the process, he has gained his own cult following among many Arab television viewers.

[King David]

If this doesn't make a "Saturday Night" routine this weekend, they need some new writers on the show.

[GodBlessAmerica2003]

[nomorecameljocks]

This guy should be the Clinton's information minister, err press agent if he survives the war and it's aftermath.

[nomorecameljocks]

Perhaps the surviving Iraqi big shots are getting the same type information that Hitler got in the last days in the bunker ie "We are bravely counter attacking the red plague at the Brandenberg gate with two panzer armys, 1000 Stukas, etc."
Saddam and crew apparently don't like bad news.

[Nevermore]

In most Middle Eastern cultures, the sole of the shoe is considered unclean, and to be hit with a shoe is particularly humiliating.

Aha, so that's it! Note to the front lines: beware of roving bands of Iraqis wielding shoes. Seems we've been wasting all this time destroying tanks and digging up illegal arms caches, when the real threat was that innocent-looking shoe factory!

[GovernmentShrinker]

So true. Methinks Baghdad Bob is perfectly sane. Which one of us wouldn't readily recite the same nonsense if faced with the fate which awaits him if he doesn't (and remember, they generally don't kill quickly).

[GovernmentShrinker]

I hope he lives to give a post-war press conference. I'd pay money to watch that.

[mtbopfuyn]

Aw heck, every war needs it's humorous side and Bob is it.

[Henchman]

We are in agreement

[mollynme]

When is the last time anyone actually saw him?

[Exit148]

From the reports, it seems as tho the Arab world is mad at the Arab press for lying to them. Will they now include the Minister and question other Ministers?