Detention of Tareq Aziz sends signal that Saddam's regime is over: INC

LONDON (AFP) Apr 25, 2003
The reported detention by the US of Tareq Aziz, Iraq's former deputy prime minister, will send a signal to the Iraqi people that the days of Saddam Hussein's regime are over, a spokesman for the opposition Iraqi National Congress said Thursday.

Spokesman Haider Ahmed said in London: "Beyond any doubt, politically, Tareq Aziz is the most important official to be captured so far. And he is the most important in Iraq outside Saddam's family.

"Tareq Aziz is Iraq's face in the world, the main adviser and head of Iraq's foreign policy for at least 25 years," Ahmed added.

"Because he is one of the known faces (of Saddam's regime), this will send a message to the Iraqi people that Saddam's regime is gone.

"All the others to have been captured have been either involved in security or unimportant men. This guy is a member of the Revolutionary Council so his capture sends a very important message."

There were no immediate details on how Aziz was taken by US forces but a senior US defense official said Thursday: "We believe we have Tareq Aziz in our possession."

SPACE.WIRE