http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=68637&Sn=WORL
Vol XXVI NO. 263 Monday 8 December 2003
Saddam 'running operations against troops'
BAGHDAD:
Saddam Hussein is hiding out west of Baghdad from where he commands operations
against the US occupation of Iraq, a tribal leader and faithful follower of the
ousted president said.
"Saddam Hussein is in good health and living in the west of Iraq," said the man
who is involved in the struggle and calls himself only Abu Mohammad.
"The Iraqi president is commanding the military operations against the American
forces," he said on Saturday.
An AFP journalist was introduced to the tribal leader by a Baath politician
working to set up a new party to support the resistance.
The politician said Saddam presided over a meeting of "dozens of Baath party
cadres" at Ramadi, 100km west of Baghdad, at Iftar.
A dissident Baath figure confirmed the secret meeting saying it took place on
November 8, the same day General John Abizaid, commanding officer of US Central
Command (Centcom), gathered tribal leaders in Ramadi to try to work out how to
halt anti-coalition attacks. Abu Mohammad disclosed that he met Saddam who, he
said, pays unannounced visits to Iraqis. "There is no risk to him in the west
because people are defending him and will never betray him," the tribal leader
claimed.
Washington is offering a $25 million (BD9.45m) reward for information leading
to the capture of the president who was overthrown in April.
Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the commander of US forces in Iraq, said
yesterday he had read the AFP report and insisted the hunt for Saddam remained
a priority.
"We remain just as focused on Saddam Hussein. The killing or capture of Saddam
Hussein will have an impact on the level of violence, but it will not end it,
at least not immediately," Sanchez said.
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