Cnn claims Aziz is in US custody but don't provide anything further on details. Any other source out there confirming this?
Looks like the real mccoy this time. ABCnews.com Tariq Aziz in Custody ‘Eight of Spades,’ Former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Turns Himself In April 24 — Iraq's former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz is believed to have surrendered to U.S. authorities, ABCNEWS has learned. Aziz was last reported to be in Baghdad. Intermediaries for Aziz had been talking to U.S. officials about conditions for a surrender on Wednesday, intelligence sources told ABCNEWS. In the deck of playing cards picturing 55 former Iraqi leaders wanted by the United States, Aziz was the eight of spades. Icon of the Old Regime With his Groucho Marx appearance, Aziz was probably the most familiar face of Saddam Hussein's regime other than Saddam himself, _ and one of the longest-lasting as well. Aziz became familiar to Western television viewers as Iraq's foreign minister and Baghdad's de-facto spokesman during the first Gulf War. He was most recently deputy prime minister, but perhaps his most remarkable feat was surviving as an adviser to Saddam for more than 20 years. His ties to Saddam went back to the founding of the Baath Party in the 1950s, and he played a key role in many of the most important moments in Iraq's history. He enlisted U.S. aid during the Iran-Iraq war, and also forged ties with the Soviet Union. Aziz's background was unique among Saddam's inner circle. He came from a Christian family from Mosul in northern Iraq, and from humble circumstances — his father was a waiter. Some attributed his survival to his lack of a power base in Iraq, which meant he presented no threat to Saddam
i don't know if he's the only Christian...but he's the only one i know of who professes to be Christian...he was born into a Christian family, as I understand it.
Actually they said he was lower down than his card. He apparently wasn't from Tikrit like Saddam's inner most circle so not as highly placed as others. Though he is a longtime party loyalist and thus very trusted none-the-less.
What's the big deal? If he wasn't directly involved in the 'bad' side of the regime, he probably will be released in the future. I imagine most of the info on WMD will come from much lower on the totem.
Maybe he will be let go, but I believe they have to find out what he knows, and he still is a member of the cabinet. Deputy Prime Minister is sure to have access to information, or know where information can be found.
He was not very important as far as the inner circle went; he was not a big-decision maker, really just a mouthpiece. But God, was he an annoying, dishonest, pain in the ass. The only individual I've ever heard tell more ridiculous lies would be the Information Minister ("There are no Americans in Baghdad", as a US M1A1 rolls past the camera behind him). It will be nice to never have to hear from him again. He is an Assyrian Christian. There are something like 300,000 of them living mostly in the north; Saddam has repressed them much as the Kurds. Aziz is largely considered a traitor by his people.
Saeed al-Sahaf has become the "loveable loser" of this war, (trailed only by the ambasador to the UN who suddently got lots of favorable press as he left the US). I swear if the guy showed up he could get a job hosting a late night talkshow right now. I was flipping the channels last night and even heard John Mccain waxing poetic about how much he missed "Baghdad Bob" as he called him. Aziz, on the other hand has always had that nasty toad vibe going. I've always gotten a bit of a seperated-at-birth with Henry Kissinger feeling...
Tariq Aziz offered mansion, new identity for info... Look out for a Mr Terry Kaziz With trendy new specs, a groovy beret, and moustache replaced by a goatee, this is how Tariq Aziz might look with a new UK identity. <img src=http://images.thesun.co.uk/picture/0,,2003190757,00.jpg> Mock-up ... Aziz As plain old Terry, complete with peace corp badges, he may fool some. But others would Azizily Tel.
