The Age [Australia], 14, 2003 - 11:27PM
Saddam captured in hometown
Baghdad, December 14, 2003 - 11:27PM
Saddam Hussein, wearing a fake beard and burying himself in a cellar floor in an
attempt to hide from US troops, was captured alive today in his hometown of Tikrit,
the Iraqi Governing Council said.
The arrest was a major victory for the US-led coalition that has been battling an
insurgency for months.
Celebratory gunfire erupted in Baghdad and other cities in Iraq. Radio stations played
celebratory music and people drove through the streets of the capital, shouting, ''They
got Saddam! They got Saddam!''
In a statement, the US-appointed Governing Council confirmed that Saddam was
arrested in a joint operation by troops from the US-led coalition and Kurdish Iraqi
forces.
''He was wearing a fake beard and laboratory tests have proven his identity beyond
any doubt,'' the statement said.
''On this occasion, the Governing Council would like to congratulate the Iraqi people
and the entire human race on this huge victory,'' it said.
Some US military commanders, however, have warned the insurgency that has
claimed the lives of several hundred coalition troops would not necessarily end after
Saddam's capture.
In London, Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed that Saddam had been captured alive
in Iraq, saying in a statement that he was apprehended.
''This is very good news for the people of Iraq. It removes the shadow that has been
hanging over them for too long of the nightmare of a return to the Saddam regime,'' his
statement said.
In Washington, US military officials said soldiers had captured a man in the basement
of a building in Tikrit during raids seeking Saddam. Initial efforts to verify his identity
indicated he is Saddam, the officials said on condition of anonymity.
''It certainly looks good,'' one senior US official said, cautioning more scientific testing,
possibly DNA, was being done to try to confirm the identity.
The official said the captured man did not look like Saddam.
Trapped in a cellar, Saddam dug a hole and buried himself as US soldiers moved into
the house where he was hiding, an Iraqi official said today.
''The American soldiers had to use shovels to dig him out,'' Entifadh Qanbar,
spokesman for Governing Council member Ahmad Chalabi, told The Associated
Press.
Qanbar, basing his account on reports from members of the US-led occupation
authority, said Saddam had a salt-and-pepper beard when he was captured. Soldiers
photographed him, shaved the beard and photographed him again before running DNA
tests, he said.
''The DNA test confirmed 100 per cent Saddam Hussein's identity,'' he said.
Qanbar said the capture took place ''in a town very close to Tikrit,'' Saddam's
hometown 160 kilometres north of Baghdad.
Council member Dara Noor al-Din said the body was informed of the former dictator's
capture in a telephone call from Paul Bremer, the US administrator for Iraq.
''Bremer has confirmed to the Governing Council that Saddam was captured in Tikrit,''
Noor al-Din said. ''He spoke on the phone to several members, including Ahmad
Chalabi.''
Chalabi is a leading member of the council who has close links to the US
administration of President George W Bush.
''I'm very happy for the Iraqi people. Life is going to be safer now,'' said 35-year-old
Yehya Hassan, a resident of Baghdad. ''Now we can start a new beginning.''
Shop owners closed their doors, worried that all the shooting would make the streets
unsafe.
A Governing Council spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a council
delegation planned to visit Saddam in captivity later today.
Another Governing Council member, Jalal Talabani, told Iran's official news agency,
IRNA, that Saddam's detention will bring stability to Iraq.
''With the arrest of Saddam, the source financing terrorists has been destroyed and
terrorist attacks will come to an end. Now we can establish a durable stability and
security in Iraq,'' Talabani was quoted as saying.
After invading Iraq on March 20 and setting up their headquarters in Saddam's
sprawling Republican Palace compound in Baghdad, US troops launched a massive
manhunt for the fugitive leader, placing a $US25 million ($A34 million) bounty on his
head and sending thousands of soldiers to search for him.
Saddam's sons Qusay and Uday - each with a $US15 million ($A20.34 million) bounty
on their heads - were killed July 22 in a four-hour gunbattle with US troops in a hideout
in the northern city of Mosul. The bounties were paid out to the man who owned the
house where they were killed, residents said.
In Baghdad, residents fired small arms in the air in celebration after hearing the news
of Saddam's capture. Earlier in the day, rumours of the capture sent people streaming
into the streets of Kirkuk, a northern Iraqi city, firing guns in the air in celebration.
''We are celebrating like it's a wedding,'' said Kirkuk resident Mustapha Sheriff. ''We
are finally rid of that criminal.''
''This is the joy of a lifetime,'' said Ali Al-Bashiri, another resident. ''I am speaking on
behalf of all the people that suffered under his rule.''
In Tikrit, US soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division, the unit that is responsible for
security in Saddam's hometown, were smoking cigars after hearing the news of
Saddam's capture.
Despite the celebration throughout Baghdad, many residents were sceptical.
''I heard the news, but I'll believe it when I see it,'' said Mohaned al-Hasaji, a
33-year-old owner of a cosmetics shop. ''They need to show us that they really have
him.''
Ayet Bassem, 24, walked out of a shop with her 6-year-old son.
''Things will be better for my son,'' she said.
''Everyone says everything will be better when Saddam is caught. My son now has a
future.''
- AP
Copyright © 2002 The Age Company Ltd
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