'The tyrant is a prisoner'

"The tyrant is a prisoner," Paul Bremer, the US administrator for Iraq, told the world early today.

In a phrase greeted with cheering from some journalists at a press briefing in Baghdad, Mr Bremer said: "Ladies and gentlemen, we got him. Saddam Hussein was captured Saturday December 13 about 8.30pm local time [6.30am NZ time] in a cellar in the town of Adwar, which is about 15 kilometres south of Tikrit.

"This is a great day in Iraq's history. For decades, hundreds of thousands of you suffered at the hands of this cruel man.

"For decades Saddam Hussein divided you citizens against each other. For decades he threatened and attacked your neighbours. Those days are over for ever. Now it is time to look to the future, to your future of hope, to a future of reconciliation. Iraq's future, your future, has never been more full of hope.

"The tyrant is a prisoner. The economy is moving forward. You have before you the prospect of a sovereign government in a few months. With the arrest of Saddam Hussein there is a new opportunity for the members of the former regime, whether military or civilian, to end their bitter opposition.

"Let them now come forward in the spirit of reconciliation and hope, lay down their arms and join you, their fellow citizens, in the task of building a new Iraq.

"Now is the time for all Iraqis, Arabs and Kurds, Sunnis, Shia, Christian and Turkavan to build a prosperous and democratic Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbours."

Lieutenant-General Ricardo Sanchez, commander of Coalition ground forces: "Today is a great day for the Iraqi people and the coalition.

"Last night at approximately 8pm local forces from the fourth infantry division, together with coalition special operation forces conducted Operation Red Dawn to capture former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

"This was done in a cordon and search operation in a remote farmhouse near the city of Tikrit. There were no injuries and in fact not a single shot was fired. Saddam Hussein the captive has been talkative and is being co-operative. At this time I would like to provide you with a brief overview of the operation.

"For the last several months a combination of human intelligence tips, exceptional intelligence analytical efforts and detainee interrogation narrowed down the activities of Saddam Hussein.

"At about 10.50 hours yesterday, we received intelligence on the possible whereabouts of Saddam Hussein. Two likely locations were identified near the town of Adwar.

"For operational purposes these two locations were identified as Wolverine One and Wolverine Two. The First Brigade Combat Team from the Fourth Infantry Division was assigned the mission to kill or capture Saddam Hussein. The forces involved approximately six hundred soldiers."


Herald Feature: Iraq