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From MSNBC:
. PAUL BREMER, head of the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority, said in a statement that Saddam and his two sons were “among the most evil men the world have known.”
The offer, word of which was being spread in Iraq and the rest of the Arab world on the U.S. government-run station Radio Sawa, reflects growing frustration over the inability of authorities to determine whether Saddam is dead or alive.
U.S. officials say capturing Saddam and his sons is crucial because the uncertainty surrounding his fate can be used as a rallying point for anti-U.S. forces. Attacks against occupation forces have been increasing in recent weeks, with at least 26 U.S. troops killed in hostile fire since major combat was officially declared over May 1.
“They may or may not be alive,” Bremer said. “But I recognize that, until we know for sure, their names will continue to cast a shadow of fear over this country.”
Secretary of State Colin Powell said he approved the reward offer because it was important to do everything possible to determine the whereabouts of Saddam and whether he was alive or dead. Such information could “assist in stabilizing the situation and letting the people of Baghdad be absolutely sure that he’s not coming back,” Powell told reporters in Washington.
LARGEST REWARD ALLOWED
The bounty for Saddam, authorized by the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, matches the $25 million the United States has offered for Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaida leader missing since U.S. forces entered Afghanistan and helped topple the Taliban regime; his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri; and Mullah Mohammed Omar, leader of the Taliban government that gave bin Laden his base of operations.
Fifteen other fugitives suspected of senior involvement in al-Qaida and the Taliban also are being sought for $25 million under the Rewards for Justice program, which boosted the top reward the United States could offer from $5 million after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York and Washington.
In April, the United States offered other, unspecified rewards to Iraqis who provided information about government officials and weapons of mass destruction. Officials have not said whether anyone has collected any of those rewards.
Saddam reportedly was last seen in the waning days of the war in the Azamiyah neighborhood of northeastern Baghdad. At least two U.S. airstrikes targeted him during the war, but it is not known if any were successful.
The offer, word of which was being spread in Iraq and the rest of the Arab world on the U.S. government-run station Radio Sawa, reflects growing frustration over the inability of authorities to determine whether Saddam is dead or alive.
U.S. officials say capturing Saddam and his sons is crucial because the uncertainty surrounding his fate can be used as a rallying point for anti-U.S. forces. Attacks against occupation forces have been increasing in recent weeks, with at least 26 U.S. troops killed in hostile fire since major combat was officially declared over May 1.
“They may or may not be alive,” Bremer said. “But I recognize that, until we know for sure, their names will continue to cast a shadow of fear over this country.”
Secretary of State Colin Powell said he approved the reward offer because it was important to do everything possible to determine the whereabouts of Saddam and whether he was alive or dead. Such information could “assist in stabilizing the situation and letting the people of Baghdad be absolutely sure that he’s not coming back,” Powell told reporters in Washington.
LARGEST REWARD ALLOWED
The bounty for Saddam, authorized by the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, matches the $25 million the United States has offered for Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaida leader missing since U.S. forces entered Afghanistan and helped topple the Taliban regime; his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri; and Mullah Mohammed Omar, leader of the Taliban government that gave bin Laden his base of operations.
Fifteen other fugitives suspected of senior involvement in al-Qaida and the Taliban also are being sought for $25 million under the Rewards for Justice program, which boosted the top reward the United States could offer from $5 million after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York and Washington.
In April, the United States offered other, unspecified rewards to Iraqis who provided information about government officials and weapons of mass destruction. Officials have not said whether anyone has collected any of those rewards.
Saddam reportedly was last seen in the waning days of the war in the Azamiyah neighborhood of northeastern Baghdad. At least two U.S. airstrikes targeted him during the war, but it is not known if any were successful.
He's in my basement! Where's my money?!?
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