| occrider |
Old???? He's still the same Sahaf we grew to cherish and love!! Still being the best dis-information minister EVER!!! harry potter ... I'm first in line to buy his book!
COMICAL ALI SPEAKS: I'VE NO REGRETS
Jun 27 2003
EXCLUSIVE
From Paul Martin In Baghdad
COMICAL Ali told for the first time last night of his bizarre role in the Iraqi war, and declared: "I've no regrets. I was sincere in everything I said."
Former Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, who became a cult figure with his wild claims that Iraq had allied troops on the run, spoke after being freed by US forces who captured him earlier this week.
Refusing to admit that he misled the public over the course of the war, he said: "What the public saw is only part of the picture. What I told the public came from very reliable sources. The full picture will only emerge when I write my book." Lying al-Sahaf surpassed himself during the war when he fiercely denied the invaders were in Baghdad while US soldiers could be seen behind him.
Asked where he got his bizarre information, he told al-Arabiya satellite TV: "From many authentic sources. These will be dealt with by history."
Using some of his famously creative language, he added: "The time is not ripe yet to say what happened.
"History always has a wagon. This is the wagon of time to chronicle what happened. I clearly see the wagon is not ready yet. God willing, when this wagon's conditions in terms of time and documentation are fulfilled, we can talk about it. I do not regret what I did. I was sincere in all I said."
He admitted in a second TV interview that when he denied US tanks were in Baghdad, he knew they were there. But he said he was told the situation was under control.
Al-Sahaf declared: "I was Information Minister and fulfilled my duty to the last moment."
The former spin chief was released from custody after US intelligence chiefs admitted he knew little that could help them find Saddam Hussein or weapons of mass destruction.
In contrast to his jaunty appearance during the war, when he wore military uniform and a beret, he looked gaunt and subdued.
Wearing casual clothes, and with his head uncovered to reveal he was balding and white-haired, he said: "Via friends, I went to the Americans.
"There was an interrogation about a number of issues concerning my work. I answered a few questions.
"After the interrogation, I was released. A difficult situation has passed by, not for one person but for all.
"I'm no longer looking for any political role - that's finished. Now all I want to do is look after my family. I'll never leave Baghdad. This is my home."
Al-Sahaf, who once said "lying is forbidden in Iraq", added that he was not afraid of what the future might hold. He said: "Everyone could face something that hurts him. But I don't expect that I'll be hurt."
Al-Arabiya interviewer Saad Silawi said: "He's very depressed. He's a man who is full of pride. Saddam Hussein is still around and until he's captured I think al-Sahaf will hold back."
Among al-Sahaf's wilder claims about the US enemy were, "They're not in control of any airport", "They're coming to surrender or be burned in their tanks", "We're in control, they're in a state of hysteria" and "They're trapped everywhere".
Although not on America's "most wanted" list he was arrested at a roadblock in Baghdad on Monday. There had been reports of his suicide, surrender or escape. Instead he hid away at his home in the suburbs with his wife Lamia, daughter Thefaf and doctor sons, Ziad and Isama.
He was allowed to return home after US intelligence chiefs decided he could not help them any further.
One intelligence source told the Mirror: "He was very polite and helpful but he really did not know much more than we already knew.
"He's been told we might want to speak to him again and he must stay at certain addresses in Baghdad." The Pentagon refused to comment on his arrest or release.
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