An Iraqi official has revealed for the first time, during a private conversation, the real reasons for Saddam’s refusal to give up his regime and leave Iraq with his family, reports the daily Saudi newspaper Al-Watan.
An Al-Watan reporter in Paris was informed by an Arab official that there are four central reasons why Saddam refuses to leave Iraq:
1. He understands that he will not be safe in any other country in the world. He will be pursued not only by the Iraqi regime that will replace him but also by the Americans.
2. Saddam doesn’t wish to grant Bush a political victory without the latter paying a heavy price.
3. In the event of Saddam’s expulsion, the U.S. will establish a pro-American regime in Iraq, thus accomplishing all its political, security, strategic and oil-related aims in the Middle East. This will amount to a “historical tragedy” for Saddam, which he cannot accept.
4. If Saddam consents to the bargain, he will be admitting the existence of weapons of mass destruction.
Al-Watan also obtained a document from American and European diplomatic officials. The document establishes that as far as the bargain to exile Saddam in return for preventing a war in concerned, Bush has placed before Saddam conditions which are most difficult to implement. Namely, Saddam must leave his country “defeated and not victorious” – he must hand over his possessions and any weapons for mass destruction he has. Other than his family, he will be permitted to be escorted only by a small number of people, and prior to his expulsion he must consent to the people who will assume the regime.
The source also stated that the U.S. is prepared to wait until the end of February for a response from Saddam. If by then the answer is not positive, the U.S. will declare war.