STUNNED_SLUG
Clanker
just read this article on reuters
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=focusIraqNews&storyID=2597451
Iraqis Look to Tunnels to Solve Saddam Mystery
By Michael Georgy
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The Iraqi man watching U.S. soldiers relaxing on a hilltop couldn't understand why they were not digging.
Muhammad believes that beneath the huge dirt mound could be one of many underground escape tunnels used by Saddam Hussein after U.S.-led troops toppled him from power.
"They don't realize it but they are actually standing on one of Saddam's palaces. He could have gotten away through here, through the tunnels," he said, standing next to a broken monument to the ex-president.
While U.S. troops and tanks patrol Baghdad's streets, Iraqis wonder how the fallen dictator escaped the bombs that pulverized his palaces and government buildings across the capital.
Many are obsessed with the notion that Saddam, his powerful sons and chief aides melted into a maze of underground passages, with access to enough food and supplies to last for months, if not years.
There is plenty of evidence that U.S. troops hammered Iraq's Republican Guards and regular soldiers. Iraqi military uniforms and boots are scattered in mangled buildings.
But it is not clear whether Saddam is dead or alive, a mystery that makes him seem invincible even after losing power.
"There are lots of tunnels around here. They connect all his palaces. He's probably just hiding underground," said Kathim, pointing to five presidential palaces overlooking man-made lakes.
Many Iraqis look for clues in the ashes of bombed buildings that once symbolized repression.
At the destroyed headquarters of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, which was headed by Saddam's son Uday, an engineer who worked there said multi-million-dollar antique cars were parked in underground lots.
"Uday probably got away. I remember when he used to dress like an Islamic cleric. If the football players only said peace be with you and didn't call him the prince of the faithful he would beat them," said Hassan Hathmi.
"Beautiful girls would meet with him on Thursdays and ask for favors. He always took advantage of them."
Saddam is not the only person who may be underground. Iraqis have been searching for subterranean prisons, hoping to find relatives arrested many years ago and unheard from since.
People look beneath bridges for hidden compartments, listening for voices as cars stream by. Others dig up the earth.
There are plenty of places to dig. Presidential palaces. Lush grounds around the airport. Wealthy residential areas. Around intelligence service facilities.
At the sprawling former military intelligence headquarters, an elderly man urgently sought information about his four brothers, missing since their arrest in 1980. U.S. soldiers believe there are tunnels beneath the building. They have found an underground prison, but no prisoners.
"I thought I could find my brothers in the prison. I have looked everywhere. What do I do?," said Hussein.
When Samir Kazim looked for his brother at the Intelligence Court, he didn't find any tunnels. The tiny prison cells were on the third floor.
The only clues were scratched on a wall.
"God help me."
____________________________________________
FOOD FOR MONTHS??
interesting where most of them buggered off to though isnt it
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=focusIraqNews&storyID=2597451
Iraqis Look to Tunnels to Solve Saddam Mystery
By Michael Georgy
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The Iraqi man watching U.S. soldiers relaxing on a hilltop couldn't understand why they were not digging.
Muhammad believes that beneath the huge dirt mound could be one of many underground escape tunnels used by Saddam Hussein after U.S.-led troops toppled him from power.
"They don't realize it but they are actually standing on one of Saddam's palaces. He could have gotten away through here, through the tunnels," he said, standing next to a broken monument to the ex-president.
While U.S. troops and tanks patrol Baghdad's streets, Iraqis wonder how the fallen dictator escaped the bombs that pulverized his palaces and government buildings across the capital.
Many are obsessed with the notion that Saddam, his powerful sons and chief aides melted into a maze of underground passages, with access to enough food and supplies to last for months, if not years.
There is plenty of evidence that U.S. troops hammered Iraq's Republican Guards and regular soldiers. Iraqi military uniforms and boots are scattered in mangled buildings.
But it is not clear whether Saddam is dead or alive, a mystery that makes him seem invincible even after losing power.
"There are lots of tunnels around here. They connect all his palaces. He's probably just hiding underground," said Kathim, pointing to five presidential palaces overlooking man-made lakes.
Many Iraqis look for clues in the ashes of bombed buildings that once symbolized repression.
At the destroyed headquarters of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, which was headed by Saddam's son Uday, an engineer who worked there said multi-million-dollar antique cars were parked in underground lots.
"Uday probably got away. I remember when he used to dress like an Islamic cleric. If the football players only said peace be with you and didn't call him the prince of the faithful he would beat them," said Hassan Hathmi.
"Beautiful girls would meet with him on Thursdays and ask for favors. He always took advantage of them."
Saddam is not the only person who may be underground. Iraqis have been searching for subterranean prisons, hoping to find relatives arrested many years ago and unheard from since.
People look beneath bridges for hidden compartments, listening for voices as cars stream by. Others dig up the earth.
There are plenty of places to dig. Presidential palaces. Lush grounds around the airport. Wealthy residential areas. Around intelligence service facilities.
At the sprawling former military intelligence headquarters, an elderly man urgently sought information about his four brothers, missing since their arrest in 1980. U.S. soldiers believe there are tunnels beneath the building. They have found an underground prison, but no prisoners.
"I thought I could find my brothers in the prison. I have looked everywhere. What do I do?," said Hussein.
When Samir Kazim looked for his brother at the Intelligence Court, he didn't find any tunnels. The tiny prison cells were on the third floor.
The only clues were scratched on a wall.
"God help me."
____________________________________________
FOOD FOR MONTHS??
interesting where most of them buggered off to though isnt it
)
