"Did Saddam accept exile offer before invasion?"

[dajoki]

link
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9864433

Did Saddam accept exile offer before invasion?
Arab leaders scuttled deal aimed at avoiding war, UAE officials say

Updated: 8:38 p.m. ET Oct. 29, 2005

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Saddam Hussein accepted an 11th-hour offer to flee into exile weeks ahead of the U.S.-led 2003 invasion, but Arab League officials scuttled the proposal, officials in this Gulf state claimed.

The exile initiative was spearheaded by the late president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at an emergency Arab summit held in Egypt in February 2003, Sheik Zayed’s son said in an interview aired by Al-Arabiya TV during a documentary. The U.S.-led coalition invaded on March 19 that year.

A top government official confirmed the offer on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Saddam allegedly accepted the offer to try to halt the invasion and bring elections to Iraq within six months, according to the official and Sheik Zayed’s son.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. Gee, I wonder if BushCorp exerted any pressure on the Arab League.

Either directly or through it's lapdogs?

Naaaahhhh! They wouldn't do anything like that.

I'll be waiting to see what the congressional investigation into the matter turns up...if they can fit it into their busy schedule of graft, money laundering, ass kissing, and other duties "serving the people".

[dajoki]

2. they didn't want...

another reason to not start a war.

[enid602]

3. good grief

Just keeps getting better and better.

[dajoki]

4. why was it...

"scuttled"? i think we know.

[Terran1212]

5. Read this:

"The documentary also included an interview from Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak, who said the United States was aware of the proposal."

[dajoki]

6. i know...

A top government official confirmed the offer on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.