Found this on Yahoo: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20030424/ts_nm/iraq_aziz_dc
ya know, i really dont give a crap... where is the freaking information minister damnit? that is really all that matters, right?
CNN Confirmation http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/24/sprj.irq.war.main/index.html BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Tariq Aziz, the deputy prime minister in the regime of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, is in U.S. custody, CNN has confirmed. Aziz, who was often the public face of the regime on the international stage, was No. 43 on the list of the 55 most-wanted Iraqis and was the "eight of spades" in the deck of cards being circulated by coalition troops. It was not immediately clear how Aziz was taken into custody. On the eve of war, Aziz denounced reports that he had either been shot or had asked for political asylum. Earlier, Aziz said he would never go into exile and "would prefer to die" rather than "go to Guantanamo" as a U.S. prisoner of war. I'm surprised Aziz didn't warrant a face card. He seemed to be the 'face' of Saddam's regime for most Americans.
It's on every major news outlet now -- MSNBC, CNN, Fox, etc. Interesting, I thought that Saddam had him executed right before the war because he thought Aziz might defect. Anyone remember that piece of misinformation?
I want them to get him alive. A US tour would prove immensely popular, and I for one would love to see him host SNL in the coming months.
I hope they find the information minister as well. Some news station should get a tv show with Aziz, the information minister and two Americans and have them discuss world events every week. What better way to get the American people interested in foreign affairs.
Looks like he has been "dealing" to surrender since at least yesterday. It is not being said where he was hiding, sounds like Baghdad.
The scuttlebutt was that was a ruse to forcing the Iraqis to hold a press conference which US intelligence honed in for the infamous “decapitation” strike on day 1. True? I doubt it, but it certainly more interesting (not to mention plausible) than most of the theories put forth on BS.
Re: CNN Confirmation This may be way off but it always seemed to me that Aziz was your just your run of the mill government official. Not a great guy maybe, but not really into the torture, looting, etc. that Hussein's other cronies liked.
Re: Re: CNN Confirmation I was being factious. Aziz was articulate and spoke perfect English, making him the perfect ‘face’ for the Iraqi regime for the American media. Contrast his persona with that of the UN ambassador for example. Remember him? More comical than M.S.S. in MHO.
Re: Re: Re: CNN Confirmation At least he is good with math, unless he lost his fingers to Saddam's shredder. At least we know who will play him in the made for TV movie.
Re: Re: Re: CNN Confirmation But I was just explaining why he is only n. 43 out of 55 when probably he's the most known name after saddam in western countries. I think he's also catholic. Somehow he represented christian minority in saddam's regime. Formigoni (president of lombardy region for right-centre coalition, ie berlusconi) always refers to aziz as "my friend aziz". Formigoni is one of the leaders of "comunione e liberazione", a catholic organization (often near to fundamentalism IMHO). So I won't be surprised if the Vatican has something to do in placing aziz as n. 43. And yes probably he wasn't involved that much in regime's decisions regarding interior affairs. As a an english literature teacher (I guess that this does mean he is not a devote english speaking ppl hater) he was useful as a foreign minister or simply a spokesman.