BUSH: SADDAM HUSSEIN CAPTURED IN IRAQ
News may give hope for suffering Christians, despite new violence
By: Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
WASHINGTON / BAGHDAD (ANS) -- Saying "a dark
and painful era is over," American President George W. Bush on Sunday, Dec. 14,
confirmed the capture of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein who ruled his
country with an iron fist, amid reports he was moved from the country.
(Pictured:
SADDAM CAPTURED -- Photo
of Saddam Hussein shown during a briefing at the Iraqi Forum in Baghdad, Dec.
14, 2003. Troops from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team
captured the former Iraqi leader without incident Dec. 13. Saddam was found
hiding in a storehouse at a remote farmhouse near Tikrit, Iraq. DoD photo).
"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, " said President Bush, as he addressed the nation
from the White House.
"The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found
the dictator’s footprints in a vast country. The operation was carried out with
skill and precision by a brave fighting force," the president added.
American television network CBS cited unidentified military sources as saying
Hussein was moved from Iraq, but U.S. Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez only
confirmed "he is in the custody of coalition forces at an undisclosed" location.
"SPIDER HOLE"
Sanchez added that American troops found Hussein "hiding in a spider hole 6 to 8
feet deep underground (about 2 to 3 metres), just enough for one man to lay
down," below a farm house, in the village of Al-Dawr, 15 kilometers (apr. 9
miles) from Tikrit.
"The capture of this man was crucial to the rise of a free Iraq, it marks the
end of the road for him and all who bullied and killed in his name," President
Bush said. "For the Baathist hold-outs largely responsible for the current
violence there will be no return to the corrupt power and privilege they once
held."
Bush stressed that "for the vast majority of citizens who wish to live as free
men and women this event brings further assurance that the torture chambers and
the secret police are gone forever." He added that the Iraqi people "will not
have to fear the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again. All Iraqis who take the side
of freedom have taken the winning side."
"EMOTIONAL NEWS"
He spoke after Hussein's capture was initially confirmed during an emotional
news conference in Baghdad by the American administrator to Iraq, L. Paul
Bremer. "Ladies and gentleman, we got him," Bremer said on loud applause of
American personnel and Iraqi newsman, some of whom wept while shouting "God is
Great."
At the press briefing Iraqi newsmen shouted "Death to Saddam" while raising
their hands as Sanchez showed the first military video footage with a weary, old
looking and unshaved Saddam Hussein receiving medical attention from an American
doctor.
Iraqi journalist Fatah al-Sheikh cried when he saw the American military video,
Reuters reported. "When I saw Saddam's long beard, how he looked like a defeated
man. "It reminded me of the two years I spent in jail, how his agents tortured
me in every way you could imagine," for publishing an Islamic newspaper
illegally, he told the news agency.
"HUSSEIN COOPERATIVE"
Sanchez described the 66-year old Hussein as "in a good medical condition" as
well as "cooperative" and "talking" after the raid late Saturday, adding that
"no shots" were fired and that nobody was injured during the operation which
involved 600 troops.
He said troops from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team acted
after receiving information about his whereabouts, but refused to say if anyone
will receive the 25 million dollar award set aside by Washington for information
leading to Hussein's arrest.
Sanchez explained that coalition forces also detained two aids of Saddam Hussein
in the Tikrit area while seizing two AK-47 assault rifles, a pistol and $750,000
in $100 bills.
"SMOKING CIGARS"
As soldiers were reportedly celebrating and smoking cigars after an eight month
man-hunt, the U.S. defense department trumpeted the capture by displaying the
playing card depicting the Iraqi leader on its website (www.defenselink.mil
<http://www.defenselink.mil/> ) with the word "captured" superimposed in big red
letters.
Hussein was the Ace of Spades in the deck of 55 cards of wanted Iraqi leaders
released by the United States, and the American military struck a major blow
earlier this year when they killed his two sons during a raid.
The head of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim
stressed that DNA tests had proved a suspect detained in Iraq was ousted Saddam
Hussein and not one of his many doubles and told his nation it was time for "a
week of holiday" to celebrate the news.
"GUNFIRE EVERYWHERE"
Celebratory gunfire was soon heard throughout Baghdad as news spread about the
capture of the former Iraqi leader, who also lead the oil state into two major
regional conflicts that killed up to one million people and massacred thousands
of Kurds with poisoned gas.
In Kirkuk, a northern Iraqi city, residents also fired guns in the air in
celebration, The Associated Press (AP) news agency reported. "We are celebrating
like it's a wedding," a resident, Mustapha Sheriff, was quoted as saying. "We
are finally rid of that criminal."
This is the joy of a lifetime. I am speaking on behalf of all the people that
suffered under his rule," said Ali Al-Bashiri, another Kirkuk resident. However
Bush also warned Sunday, Dec. 14, that "the capture of Saddam Hussein does not
mean the end of violence in Iraq," amid reports of
new attacks.
"ANGRY SCENES"
There were scenes of anger Near Ramadi, a town west of Baghdad, which has served
as a loyal support base for Hussein after a car bomb rocked the police station
in the nearby town of Khalidiya, early Sunday, Dec. 20, killing at least 21
people and wounding at least 33 others, reports said.
Most of them were police officers, according to military and hospital officials.
Men standing at the scene and at the hospital blamed American forces for the
blast, even though it was clear that the bomb was targeting Iraqi police working
with the Americans, reporters said.
"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, " said President
Bush, while not mentioning the latest bloodshed specifically. "Such men are a
direct threat to the American people and they will be defeated," he promised.
"STOP ATTACKS"
Bremer urged remnants of the old regime to stop their attacks that have killed
hundreds of American forces in recent months, and raised serious questions about
President Bush's exit plan for the troubled nation.
With "the economy moving forward" and the "prospect of a sovereign government in
a few months," Bremer said that the arrest of Saddam Hussein was a new
opportunity for members of the former regime" to end "their bitter (violent)
opposition. "
"Let them now come forward in a spirit of reconciliation and hope, lay down
their arms, and join you, their fellow citizens, in the task of building the new
Iraq. Now is the time for all Iraqis - Arabs and Kurds, Sunnis, Shia, Christian
and Turkmen - to build a prosperous, democratic Iraq, at peace with itself and
with its neighbors," the administrator added.
"FEAR REMOVED"
"This fear is now removed," noted British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has
come under fire at home for supporting the U.S.-led war in Iraq, in a first
reaction.
"It also gives an opportunity for Saddam to be tried in Iraqi courts for his
crimes against the Iraqi people. "We should try now to unite the whole of Iraq
in rebuilding the country and offering it a new future."
Hussein's capture was also expected to be welcomed by Iraqi Evangelical
Christians that ASSIST News Service (ANS) talked to in recent months. Many were
forced to hold underground church services and were persecuted during regime of
Saddam Hussein, ANS established.
"HUNGARY FOR CHRIST"
"People are hungry for Christ," said Iraqi pastor Ghassan Thomas (33) who in the
past used his kindergarten as a vehicle to share the Gospel. Speaking with ANS
earlier this year in Baghdad he recalled how "the regime of Saddam Hussein did
not allow the establishment" of new denominations.
"Therefore I was involved in an indirect ministry through the kindergarten, as I
did not get permission to officially operate and evangelize. However people soon
came to me and said: "this is like a church."
With American soldiers in town, he was finally able to realize his dream and
open his Evangelical Alliance Church where Hallelujah’s and Amen’s reverberate
throughout the small, but lively congregation. Despite the oppression and
torture endured by many Iraqi Christians and other civilians the church "loves
Saddam Hussein", added 32-year old Maral Manuel.
"FORGIVE SADDAM HUSSEIN"
"The Bible says we should respect and pray for our president. I would love to
see Saddam Hussein in our church. I would tell him that God loves him and that
Christ can forgive his sins." There has been an increase in anti-Christian
violence since the collapse of the regime, human rights organizations say.
Bremer and other officials hope the capture of the former leader will reduce
tension and make it more safe for the military as well as aid workers, including
Christians.
"Unfortunately (especially) many Christians are in need of food as they have no
job. Others have physical needs," explained Pastor Thomas, married with two
children. "It is my prayer that Jesus Christ will meet both the spiritual and
physical needs of Iraqi Christians."
LACK OF MANPOWER
Several Christian organizations, including Youth with a Mission and the Southern
Baptist International Mission Board IMB have urged Christians to support their
efforts in the post Saddam Hussein era.
IMB said last week it urgently needed 150 workers, but that a lack of funds and
man power was threatening to undermine operations at a time when the country
prepares for winter.
Christian organizations and Iraqi church leaders say the country is open for
revival, a sentiment apparently shared by President Bush. "May God bless the
people of Iraq and may God Bless America," he said after promising "the United
States of America will not relent until this war is won."
Christians interested in mission work in Iraq and around the globe are advised
to contact the International Mission Board at:
International Mission Board
P.O. Box 6767
Richmond VA
23230-0767
Phone: (804) 219-1000
FAX: (804) 254-8980
Email: globalnews@imb.org
URL: http://www.imb.org <http://www.imb.org/>
Award winning Journalist Stefan J. Bos was born on the 19th of September 1967 in
a small home in downtown Amsterdam, in the Netherlands not far from the
typewriter of his father, who was (and still is) a Reporter and ghostwriter.
Already at a very young age Bos decided to become journalist and finally arrived
in Hungary, the same country where his parents had smuggled Bibles during
Communism.
Bos has traveled extensively to cover wars and revolutions throughout the region
and received the Annual Press Award of Merit from the Hungarian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs for his coverage about foreign policy affairs including
Hungary's relationship with NATO and the European Union. Stefan J. Bos can be
reached at: bosnews@externet.hu.
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