14, confirmed the capture of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein who ruled his country with an iron fist, amid reports he was moved from Iraq.
"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) 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, December 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, December 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 BosNewsLifetalked to in recent months. Many were forced to hold underground church services and were persecuted during regime of Saddam Hussein, BosNewsLife 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 BosNewsLife 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."
