Date:27/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/27/stories/2003042703521200.htm

International

Tariq Aziz seeking asylum in Britain?

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON APRIL 26 . A British tabloid has claimed that the former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, is seeking asylum in Britain in exchange for information about Saddam Hussein's regime.

The Sun quoted unnamed "insiders" as saying that he had told his U.S. captors that he was willing to "reveal all" if he was given asylum in the U.K.

" Mr. Aziz has made it clear he is ready for a total sell-out. He knows we are anxious to retrieve this information, and is playing hard to get.

He has his price and is sticking out firmly," the sensation-loving newspaper said in its characteristically robust language.

The Home Office, however, ruled out any such deal. "It is ridiculous to suggest asylum will be granted to an individual who has been involved in activities that have abused the human rights of others," a spokesperson said.