Ex-Iraqi information minister agrees to take lid off war secrets

Abu Dhabi |By Nadim Kawach, Bureau Chief 11-09-2003

Iraq's former information minister who became a superstar with his controversial rhetoric and statements during the US-led invasion will go on television next week to reveal part of the war secrets and how ousted president Saddam Hussain felt he would lose the war.

Mohammed Saeed Al Sahhaf has been booked by Abu Dhabi television for an extensive interview stretching more than five hours and which will be broadcast in five parts.

Al Sahhaf, who kept assuring an army of journalists that Iraq remained under control despite the advance of US forces into Baghdad, will also disclose secret meetings had taken place between Iraqi and US officials in Europe long before the war but avoided answering other questions about Saddam.

His interviewer, Jaber Obaid, said Al Sahhaf had been booked exclusively by Abu Dhabi television and described it as an exciting interview.

"He was more frank and direct than previous interviews after the war…he revealed many secrets before and during the war…it was an exciting interview," Obaid told Gulf News.

"You will notice that he has changed since the end of the war, both in style and appearance… he speaks freely, looks lively and is well dressed… the disdasha he wore after the end of the war is replaced with a suit and his white hair has been dyed black."

According to the Arabic language daily Al Ittihad, part of the Emirates Media Corporation along with the Abu Dhabi Television, Sahhaf has revealed to his interviewer the secrets of Baghdad's fall and the ouster of Saddam.

He also spoke about the pre-war period and how the government and people felt about it and prepared for it.

"Saddam believed that he will lose the war if it erupts," Sahhaf was reported as saying in the programme, titled Sahhaf War.

Al Ittihad said he would also disclose that Iraq sought to possess nuclear weapons and that secret meetings had taken place between Iraq and the US in a European capital long before the war. Jordan's late King Hussein sponsored the meetings, which were requested by Saddam.

"Sahhaf apologised for being unable to answer some questions directly related to Saddam…he also refused to blame him for what happened," the paper said.

Sahhaf was captured by US forces after the conflict but was released shortly afterwards and allowed to leave Iraq. During the three-week allied blitz, he acted as a spokesman for Iraq's military but triggered global controversy with his rhetoric and expressions.

At the height of hostilities, he evoked laughter from journalists with such expressions and the use of scathing and derogatory descriptions of US President George Bush, Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld and British Premier Tony Blair. At one stage he dubbed them "the three stooges."

http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20a...r%20secrets.htm

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