U.S. President Bush announced Sunday that: “Yesterday, December the 13th, at around 8:30 p.m. Baghdad time, United States military forces captured Saddam Hussein alive. He was found near a farmhouse outside the city of Tikrit, in a swift raid conducted without casualties. And now the former dictator of Iraq will face the justice he denied to millions.”
It is as yet unverified that the captured individual is actually the Iraqi President or one of many reported look-alikes.
Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz was reported captured, in April, but little has been heard of him since, nor have any photographs been released.
(Saddam's deputy prime minister) in custody: http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/24/sprj.irq.war.main/ )
The Bush announcement came swiftly after the release of a BBC report on inhuman treatment of of prisoners by the U.S. (Arabs 'badly injured' in custody
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3316969.stm )
Amid the massive coverage the U.S. announcement has engendered, there is no mention of the fact that the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq is totally unjustified and outside the guidelines of International Law, as most clearly stated in The Geneva Accords.(1)
President Bush had argued that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) which were an immanent threat to the United States and its allies. President Bush had also indicated that Saddam Hussein had been involved in the September Eleventh attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
To date, there have been no WMDs discovered in Iraq and no evidence of Saddam Hussein’s involvement in terrorist activies – anywhere.
While many rejoice over Saddam Hussein’s reported capture, it might be wise for other nations to note that since the Bush Administration appears to be immune from the restrictions of International Law, there is little preventing the U.S. from deposing and “capturing” whichever national leaders are considered “fair game”.
Bush’s doctrine of “Pre-emptive strikes” is becoming more evident as pure “aggressive war” and in clear violation of the U.N. Charter. (2)
In his announcement, President Bush added: “I also have a message for all Americans: The capture of Saddam Hussein does not mean the end of violence in Iraq. We still face terrorists who would rather go on killing the innocent than accept the rise of liberty in the heart of the Middle East. Such men are a direct threat to the American people, and they will be defeated.
“We've come to this moment through patience and resolve and focused action. And that is our strategy moving forward. The war on terror is a different kind of war, waged capture by capture, cell by cell, and victory by victory. Our security is assured by our perseverance and by our sure belief in the success of liberty. And the United States of America will not relent until this war is won.”
Americans and others should also beware of increased domestic surveillance and the loss of their own Civil Liberties.(3)
The full text of President Bush’s announcement can be found on the White House website at:
President Bush Addresses Nation on the Capture of Saddam Hussein
Remarks by the President on the Capture of Saddam Hussein
The Cabinet Room
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/20031214-3.html
For photos of the man said to be Saddam Hussein, please visit The Washington Post; http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Paul V. Rafferty
Footnotes
(1)Geneva Convention (III) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War; August 12, 1949 http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/geneva03.htm
(2)Charter of the United Nations; http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/
(3)
The stories of former prisoners and relatives of people detained by the US forces without charge, trial, representaion or visits.;
http://www.wildfirejo.org.uk/feature/display/53/index.php
Interviews Available: Bush vs. International Law?;
http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/1212-09.htm
FBI Returns To Spying On Anti-War Protestors;
http://www.sacobserver.com/news/120303/fbi_spying_antiwar_protestors.shtml
FBI Applies New Rules to Surveillance; http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1802&ncid=1802&e=1&u=/washpost/20031213/ts_washpost/a60964_2003dec12
Fresh legal row over Guantanamo;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3286387.stm
The Fallacy of the War on Terror, by Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez
Despite the trillions being spent worldwide to combat terrorism, there is no war on terrorism. This bears repeating: There is no "war on terror.";
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1212-13.htm
Cost of the War in Iraq; http://costofwar.com/
Officials bugged at international summit;
http://www.net4nowt.com/isp_news/news_article.asp?News_ID=1677
Please also see:
Ex-U.S. Attorney General Ready To Defend Saddam;
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2003-12/15/article02.shtml
Many have accepted the U.S. claim that Saddam Hussein is now a prisoner. Here are some reactions.
Annan hails capture of Saddam Hussein;
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=9222&Cr=iraq&Cr1=
Capture of Saddam Hussein can spur search for peace, Annan says;
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=9211&Cr=Iraq&Cr1=
Reactions on the streets to Saddam's capture.
http://www.wildfirejo.org.uk/feature/display/54/index.php
Indications Are Saddam Was Being Held Prisoner
His Own People Were Trying To Collect The $25 Million Reward
DEBKAfile Special Report 12-14-3
http://www.rense.com/general45/held.htm
Iraqi Cmdr Says He Saw US Fly Saddam Out Of Baghdad
By Bill Dash 12-15-3
http://www.rense.com/general45/cmdr.htm
Saddam Betrayed - He Was A Prisoner;
http://www.rense.com/general45/araao.htm
Saddam Was Not Captured - He Was 'Rescued'
http://www.rense.com/general45/res.htm
When Dictator is Booted from White House America Can Rebuild.
Lloyd Hart, 14.12.2003 19:53
I find it very interesting that just a few days after the American appointed governing council in Iraq votes to begin a tribunal for Iraqi war criminals even though no constitution has been ratified that could legitimize any form of Judiciary in Iraq, Saddam Hussein conveniently shows up.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/12/282839.html
We Finally Got Our Frankenstein... and He Was In a Spider Hole! -- by Michael Moore;
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php
"Near the end, Saddam may have desired capture" Printed on Sunday, December 14, 2003 @ 22:55:53 CST, By Firas Al-AtraqchiYellowTimes.org Columnist (Canada) http://www.yellowtimes.org/article.php?sid=1697&mode=thread&order=0
We never had WMD, former president tells interrogators
By Chris Bunting, 15 December 2003;
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=473419
Iraq's Illegal Weapons Are Clear, Bush Says
Report Frames President's Record
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 14, 2003; Page A06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A62543-2003Dec13?language=printer
Ace in the hole
So, the hunt for Saddam Hussein is over and the big questions can finally begin to be answered. But first we need to answer a few little ones, writes Paul Carr;
http://www.lnreview.co.uk/hi/war_on_terror/000388.php
Analysis / Saddam could be offered deal
By Ze'ev Schiff, Haaretz Correspondent;
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=371903&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
Unanswered Security Questions Follow Saddam Capture;
http://www1.iraqwar.ru/iraq-read_article.php?articleId=29330&lang=en
"Saddam's capture: good news for Iraqis, bad news for Bush and Blair";
http://www.yellowtimes.org/article.php?sid=1696
We Caught The Wrong Guy, By William Rivers Pitt;
http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/121503A.shtml
Saddam Arrest Cheer Fades Into Iraqi Ire at U.S.;
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3991873&fromEmail=true
Iraqi Vice
Locals are calling it 'the bad side of freedom': pills, porn, prostitution and booze are rampant now. And it's not only the radicals who blame America.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3706289/
Who armed Saddam, by Clinton Fernandes (20 July 2002 11:23 UTC)
http://csf.colorado.edu/forums/isafp/2002/msg00148.html
For more coverage, please also visit:
Information Clearing House; http://www.informationclearinghouse.info
Rense.com; http://www.rense.com
What Really Happened; http://www.whatreallyhappened.com
It is as yet unverified that the captured individual is actually the Iraqi President or one of many reported look-alikes.
Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz was reported captured, in April, but little has been heard of him since, nor have any photographs been released.
(Saddam's deputy prime minister) in custody: http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/24/sprj.irq.war.main/ )
The Bush announcement came swiftly after the release of a BBC report on inhuman treatment of of prisoners by the U.S. (Arabs 'badly injured' in custody
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3316969.stm )
Amid the massive coverage the U.S. announcement has engendered, there is no mention of the fact that the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq is totally unjustified and outside the guidelines of International Law, as most clearly stated in The Geneva Accords.(1)
President Bush had argued that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) which were an immanent threat to the United States and its allies. President Bush had also indicated that Saddam Hussein had been involved in the September Eleventh attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
To date, there have been no WMDs discovered in Iraq and no evidence of Saddam Hussein’s involvement in terrorist activies – anywhere.
While many rejoice over Saddam Hussein’s reported capture, it might be wise for other nations to note that since the Bush Administration appears to be immune from the restrictions of International Law, there is little preventing the U.S. from deposing and “capturing” whichever national leaders are considered “fair game”.
Bush’s doctrine of “Pre-emptive strikes” is becoming more evident as pure “aggressive war” and in clear violation of the U.N. Charter. (2)
In his announcement, President Bush added: “I also have a message for all Americans: The capture of Saddam Hussein does not mean the end of violence in Iraq. We still face terrorists who would rather go on killing the innocent than accept the rise of liberty in the heart of the Middle East. Such men are a direct threat to the American people, and they will be defeated.
“We've come to this moment through patience and resolve and focused action. And that is our strategy moving forward. The war on terror is a different kind of war, waged capture by capture, cell by cell, and victory by victory. Our security is assured by our perseverance and by our sure belief in the success of liberty. And the United States of America will not relent until this war is won.”
Americans and others should also beware of increased domestic surveillance and the loss of their own Civil Liberties.(3)
The full text of President Bush’s announcement can be found on the White House website at:
President Bush Addresses Nation on the Capture of Saddam Hussein
Remarks by the President on the Capture of Saddam Hussein
The Cabinet Room
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/20031214-3.html
For photos of the man said to be Saddam Hussein, please visit The Washington Post; http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Paul V. Rafferty
Footnotes
(1)Geneva Convention (III) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War; August 12, 1949 http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/geneva03.htm
(2)Charter of the United Nations; http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/
(3)
The stories of former prisoners and relatives of people detained by the US forces without charge, trial, representaion or visits.;
http://www.wildfirejo.org.uk/feature/display/53/index.php
Interviews Available: Bush vs. International Law?;
http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/1212-09.htm
FBI Returns To Spying On Anti-War Protestors;
http://www.sacobserver.com/news/120303/fbi_spying_antiwar_protestors.shtml
FBI Applies New Rules to Surveillance; http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1802&ncid=1802&e=1&u=/washpost/20031213/ts_washpost/a60964_2003dec12
Fresh legal row over Guantanamo;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3286387.stm
The Fallacy of the War on Terror, by Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez
Despite the trillions being spent worldwide to combat terrorism, there is no war on terrorism. This bears repeating: There is no "war on terror.";
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1212-13.htm
Cost of the War in Iraq; http://costofwar.com/
Officials bugged at international summit;
http://www.net4nowt.com/isp_news/news_article.asp?News_ID=1677
Please also see:
Ex-U.S. Attorney General Ready To Defend Saddam;
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2003-12/15/article02.shtml
Many have accepted the U.S. claim that Saddam Hussein is now a prisoner. Here are some reactions.
Annan hails capture of Saddam Hussein;
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=9222&Cr=iraq&Cr1=
Capture of Saddam Hussein can spur search for peace, Annan says;
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=9211&Cr=Iraq&Cr1=
Reactions on the streets to Saddam's capture.
http://www.wildfirejo.org.uk/feature/display/54/index.php
Indications Are Saddam Was Being Held Prisoner
His Own People Were Trying To Collect The $25 Million Reward
DEBKAfile Special Report 12-14-3
http://www.rense.com/general45/held.htm
Iraqi Cmdr Says He Saw US Fly Saddam Out Of Baghdad
By Bill Dash 12-15-3
http://www.rense.com/general45/cmdr.htm
Saddam Betrayed - He Was A Prisoner;
http://www.rense.com/general45/araao.htm
Saddam Was Not Captured - He Was 'Rescued'
http://www.rense.com/general45/res.htm
When Dictator is Booted from White House America Can Rebuild.
Lloyd Hart, 14.12.2003 19:53
I find it very interesting that just a few days after the American appointed governing council in Iraq votes to begin a tribunal for Iraqi war criminals even though no constitution has been ratified that could legitimize any form of Judiciary in Iraq, Saddam Hussein conveniently shows up.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/12/282839.html
We Finally Got Our Frankenstein... and He Was In a Spider Hole! -- by Michael Moore;
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php
"Near the end, Saddam may have desired capture" Printed on Sunday, December 14, 2003 @ 22:55:53 CST, By Firas Al-AtraqchiYellowTimes.org Columnist (Canada) http://www.yellowtimes.org/article.php?sid=1697&mode=thread&order=0
We never had WMD, former president tells interrogators
By Chris Bunting, 15 December 2003;
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=473419
Iraq's Illegal Weapons Are Clear, Bush Says
Report Frames President's Record
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 14, 2003; Page A06
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A62543-2003Dec13?language=printer
Ace in the hole
So, the hunt for Saddam Hussein is over and the big questions can finally begin to be answered. But first we need to answer a few little ones, writes Paul Carr;
http://www.lnreview.co.uk/hi/war_on_terror/000388.php
Analysis / Saddam could be offered deal
By Ze'ev Schiff, Haaretz Correspondent;
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=371903&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
Unanswered Security Questions Follow Saddam Capture;
http://www1.iraqwar.ru/iraq-read_article.php?articleId=29330&lang=en
"Saddam's capture: good news for Iraqis, bad news for Bush and Blair";
http://www.yellowtimes.org/article.php?sid=1696
We Caught The Wrong Guy, By William Rivers Pitt;
http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/121503A.shtml
Saddam Arrest Cheer Fades Into Iraqi Ire at U.S.;
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3991873&fromEmail=true
Iraqi Vice
Locals are calling it 'the bad side of freedom': pills, porn, prostitution and booze are rampant now. And it's not only the radicals who blame America.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3706289/
Who armed Saddam, by Clinton Fernandes (20 July 2002 11:23 UTC)
http://csf.colorado.edu/forums/isafp/2002/msg00148.html
For more coverage, please also visit:
Information Clearing House; http://www.informationclearinghouse.info
Rense.com; http://www.rense.com
What Really Happened; http://www.whatreallyhappened.com