Saddam receives unexpected visitor

U.S. defense secretary offers Saddam a deal to put an end to terror in Iraq, London-based al-Quds al-Arabia says

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...078433,00.html

By Roee Nahmias

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld paid former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein a surprise visit during his trip to Iraq two weeks ago, an Arab newspaper reported on Thursday.

Only a few Iraqi officials in Jordan knew about this meeting, the London based Al-Quds Al-Arabi daily newspaper reported. It said Rumsfeld offered Saddam freedom and a possible return to public life in return for a televised request to armed Iraqi terrorists for a cease-fire with foreign liberating forces.

However, according to sources, Saddam rejected the offer.

Two weeks ago, the British Telegraph newspaper reported that Iraqi gunmen were offered a “deal” to halt all terror attacks in return for a reduced sentence for Saddam, who is expected to receive the death penalty.

However, an Iraqi government official estimated that Saddam’s Baath party will request to return to politics.