Sgt Sostand
07-30-03, 10:04 AM
Iraqis begin to accept that Odai, Qusai Hussein were killed
TIKRIT, Iraq, July 30 — Skeptical Iraqis began to show signs on Wednesday that they believed Saddam Hussein’s sons Odai and Qusai were dead after a new audiotape attributed to the fallen dictator acknowledged his sons had become martyrs in the fight against American occupation.
DURING A PATROL in Tikrit early Wednesday, U.S. forces came across a black flag strung up in front of a local government building. The writing mourned the passing of Odai and Qusai.
After asking his translator to read the gold and white lettering to him, U.S. Lt. Col. Steve Russell, whose 4th Infantry Division, 1st Battalion is leading the raids in Tikrit, took out his pocket knife and cut it down, crumpling it in his hands before taking it away.
The American military, meanwhile, continued poring over documents and photo albums seized in Saddam’s hometown for clues to the fallen dictator’s whereabouts.
Watching the broadcast of the purported Saddam audiotape in Baghdad, Fahr Jihuri said the ex-dictator’s announcement removed any existing doubt that Odai and Qusai were dead.
“Saddam just confirmed that his sons are dead. As far as I understand him, he tries to incite people to attack Americans by telling them that his sons and grandson have died for the cause,” Jihuri said.
Another Iraqi dismissed Saddam’s call to arms.
“Saddam is nobody these days. He has no power, no army, no friends, what can he do now?” asked Kahtan Muhhamad.
TIKRIT, Iraq, July 30 — Skeptical Iraqis began to show signs on Wednesday that they believed Saddam Hussein’s sons Odai and Qusai were dead after a new audiotape attributed to the fallen dictator acknowledged his sons had become martyrs in the fight against American occupation.
DURING A PATROL in Tikrit early Wednesday, U.S. forces came across a black flag strung up in front of a local government building. The writing mourned the passing of Odai and Qusai.
After asking his translator to read the gold and white lettering to him, U.S. Lt. Col. Steve Russell, whose 4th Infantry Division, 1st Battalion is leading the raids in Tikrit, took out his pocket knife and cut it down, crumpling it in his hands before taking it away.
The American military, meanwhile, continued poring over documents and photo albums seized in Saddam’s hometown for clues to the fallen dictator’s whereabouts.
Watching the broadcast of the purported Saddam audiotape in Baghdad, Fahr Jihuri said the ex-dictator’s announcement removed any existing doubt that Odai and Qusai were dead.
“Saddam just confirmed that his sons are dead. As far as I understand him, he tries to incite people to attack Americans by telling them that his sons and grandson have died for the cause,” Jihuri said.
Another Iraqi dismissed Saddam’s call to arms.
“Saddam is nobody these days. He has no power, no army, no friends, what can he do now?” asked Kahtan Muhhamad.