Good article online at CBS News’ 60 Minutes portal - an extended version of last week’s NY Post excerpt. The fact that the dictator had every intention of resuming his WMD programs once the sanctions regime crumbled – and that the personnel and infrastructure were in place to do so – is expanded upon. Probably to just as much general interest as greeted the revelation last week.
It took five months of the soft sell to get Saddam to talk about his weapons program. We learn that the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 was as much as anything the result of a perceived insult from the ruling al Sabah emirate. We learn that the dictator was an aspiring poet, but that his efforts resulted more in doggerel than quality. That he died unrepentant. That he knew his elder son Uday was a notorious rapist and murderer, but that, well: “You don’t get to pick your kids.”
No. Nor your father either.
Nor your enemies.
Fascinating article. Not often you get a look into the mind of a dictator.
I agree Theodore. Very interesting and disturbing. I’m sure that as much as the incredibly gifted George Piro believed that he was controlling Saddam Hussein – Saddam was likely in more control than either of them realized. A dictator like that just doesn’t one day decide it’s OK to trust someone and spill all their secrets.