Attack will rid country of the hated dictator says refugee

The Iraqi people will not support Saddam Hussein in the event of war, an Iraqi living in Blenheim says.

One of 11 Iraqis who recently moved to Blenheim, Adnan Al Ezze has no love for the United States but sees American intervention as a way to get rid of the hated dictator.

"We don't like Saddam but we also don't like America because they supported Saddam before. Both are bad, but maybe America won't kill the Iraqi people," Mr Al Ezze said.

Mr Al Ezze has been reluctant to speak out against Saddam in the past, fearing for the safety of his family in Iraq, but now believes the dictator is finished.

The 29-year-old electrical engineer is relishing the peace and stability of New Zealand after escaping Saddam's regime two years ago.

Thrown in prison for the crime of going to a mosque during an Islamic celebration, Mr Al Ezze was tortured by security police.

"They broke both my feet, they hit me all the time. I had no food and I was very scared. I didn't think I will live more than one month. I try to forget," he said.

Saddam saw Islam as a threat to his rule and came down hard on anyone found expressing fundamental beliefs, Mr Al Ezze said.

His family managed to arrange his release and Mr Al Ezze fled the country, travelling for two years, shunted from country to country until being accepted into New Zealand.

He is scared for what a United States-led strike will mean for his family. Living near a military airport and a large base of Saddam's Republican Guards, they will be dangerously close to the combat.

His family managed to call him on Monday to tell him his oldest brother had been taken away to serve in the army. If he had refused the army would have taken their father, who was too old to fight, Mr Al Ezze said.

His other two brothers were at university in Baghdad. They no longer went to class but stayed in their building all day, afraid for their safety.

After living through war and turmoil his entire life, Mr Al Ezze is philosophical about what war will mean for his country.

"There are six in my family. If two live to have a good life it is better than six living a bad life. Now is the time to look to the future and hope things are better for the children," he said.

When Saddam was deposed and peace came back to Iraq, Mr Al Ezze planned to return to Iraq to visit his family and help celebrate the demise of the dictator.

"It will be a new life for the people."

- NZPA

Herald Feature: Iraq