The Hindu : Saddam in Iraq, says Chalabi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2003

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International

Saddam in Iraq, says Chalabi

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON APRIL 21. Speculation about the whereabouts of the deposed Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, deepened today after the Iraqi National Congress leader, Ahmad Chalabi, claimed that he was still in Iraq and "moving around'' the country.

In an interview to the BBC radio, Mr. Chalabi, who is Washington's favourite to head a new regime in Baghdad, said: "We have received information about his movements and the movements of his sons. We cannot locate Saddam...but we are aware of his movements and we are aware of the areas he has been to, and we learn of this within 12 to 24 hours. We will work to develop more information about his whereabouts.''

Pointedly asked whether he believed Mr. Hussein was still in Iraq, Mr. Chalabi insisted: "Yes, he is in Iraq. Yes, he is moving around.''

But he added that the INC monitors were not able to keep pace with Saddam's movements and there was delay in gathering information. Contrary to the widespread view about his political ambitions, Mr. Chalabi reiterated that he was "not a candidate for any political position'' in post-war Iraq.

"I want to work on building civil society because this is the basis of democracy. I'm surprised at this preoccupation of many people with my own personal plans,'' he said.

Echoing the Bush administration, Mr. Chalabi ruled out a central role for U.N. in the reconstruction of Iraq saying: "The United Nations can and deserves only a limited role. It has little credibility in Iraq and the people of Iraq view it as a de facto ally of Saddam.''

But here the Foreign Office Minister, Mike O'Brien, stressed a role for UN . "I don't think they (the U.N.) want to be involved in any of the security areas. But in terms of looking at the way in which the process of democratisation takes place....I hope they will have a voice and an influence,'' he said.

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