Al-Arabiya: Saddam was ready to leave Iraq

An al-Arabiya documentary claims to confirm long-standing rumours that Saddam Hussein was ready to leave Iraq shortly before the war, and take up residence in the UAE with his family.   Supposedly, it was overseen by the late President Shaykh Zayd and confirmed by Crown Prince Shaykh Mohamed bin Zayd.   The latter claims that the initiative had been received positively by an American representative.  But it fell apart at the last minute, and they don't know whether it was only a tactical maneuver on Saddam's part, or whether he doubted American intentions or that the UAE would be able to guarantee his or his family's safety.   Either way, it obviously didn't happen.   Interesting, though. 

Comments

[Dan]

It may also be the case that the US was less than gung-ho about a non-military outcome: no invasion, no direct control over Iraqi oil, and no realization of neo-con fantasies about controlling the Middle East and bringing US-style democracy to the Arabs.

[buermann]

I'm not sure what exactly you think "fell apart at the last minute", a deal to avoid the war? The US had made it clear that it would invade regardless of whether Saddam took exile or not, so if somebody indeed proposed to strike such a bargain it was flatly rejected.