ABSTRUSE
Cirque du Freak
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2003
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Saddam says he's keeping cheerful
Wed Jun 23, 5:33 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) says his spirit and morale are high and asks relatives to "say hello to everyone" in the only message he has sent to his family since his capture last December, Newsweek magazine has reported.
The message addressed "to my daughter" was delivered to Saddam's eldest daughter, in Amman, Jordan, after representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited him on February 21, Newsweek said on Tuesday, citing one of 20 lawyers retained by the family.
The heavily censored letter was shown to Newsweek by one of the lawyers, Muhammed al Rushadan, according to an article posted on the magazine's Web site.
The letter, apparently in Saddam's handwriting, reads in part: "In the name of God the Merciful ... To my small family and my big family, salaam alekum. ... As for my spirit and my morale, they are high, thanks to greatness of God. And say hello to everyone," the report said.
U.S. military authorities censored nine of the 14 lines written on a standard "family message form" provided by the ICRC, Newsweek said.
"Two-thirds of it are blacked out," Rushadan was quoted as saying. "There are only 17 words you can read, there's not enough to understand the meaning very well."
Rushadan also produced what the ICRC calls a "capture card." It was apparently signed by Saddam and dated January 21. The card lists Saddam's occupation as "President of the Republic of Iraq (news - web sites)" and his rank as "Field Marshal." It noted he was in "good health" and "slightly wounded."
Newsweek said it was uncertain whether the card was filled out by Saddam or whether it was an independent assessment of his condition.
The lawyer claims the former Iraqi leader's human rights are being violated, but offered no evidence to back up his assertion, Newsweek said. U.S. military authorities have said Saddam is being treated humanely.
The form provides no details on where Saddam is being held. Nor does it indicate whether he is being held as a prisoner of war or security detainee or a common prisoner.
I wonder if he's playing solitaire with those playing cards that have his picture on them???
Wed Jun 23, 5:33 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) says his spirit and morale are high and asks relatives to "say hello to everyone" in the only message he has sent to his family since his capture last December, Newsweek magazine has reported.
The message addressed "to my daughter" was delivered to Saddam's eldest daughter, in Amman, Jordan, after representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited him on February 21, Newsweek said on Tuesday, citing one of 20 lawyers retained by the family.
The heavily censored letter was shown to Newsweek by one of the lawyers, Muhammed al Rushadan, according to an article posted on the magazine's Web site.
The letter, apparently in Saddam's handwriting, reads in part: "In the name of God the Merciful ... To my small family and my big family, salaam alekum. ... As for my spirit and my morale, they are high, thanks to greatness of God. And say hello to everyone," the report said.
U.S. military authorities censored nine of the 14 lines written on a standard "family message form" provided by the ICRC, Newsweek said.
"Two-thirds of it are blacked out," Rushadan was quoted as saying. "There are only 17 words you can read, there's not enough to understand the meaning very well."
Rushadan also produced what the ICRC calls a "capture card." It was apparently signed by Saddam and dated January 21. The card lists Saddam's occupation as "President of the Republic of Iraq (news - web sites)" and his rank as "Field Marshal." It noted he was in "good health" and "slightly wounded."
Newsweek said it was uncertain whether the card was filled out by Saddam or whether it was an independent assessment of his condition.
The lawyer claims the former Iraqi leader's human rights are being violated, but offered no evidence to back up his assertion, Newsweek said. U.S. military authorities have said Saddam is being treated humanely.
The form provides no details on where Saddam is being held. Nor does it indicate whether he is being held as a prisoner of war or security detainee or a common prisoner.
I wonder if he's playing solitaire with those playing cards that have his picture on them???
