A Rumor - Can anyone confirm this?

Dreamer128 · 04-29-2003, 04:31 PM

I just heard that the (former) Iraqi minister of information has turned himself in.. or tried to do so. Apparantly, the Americans send him home, despite his complaints that his life was in danger. He is now hiding with his aunt in Bagdad. The Americans were kind enough to advice him to travel to the US (he isn't wanted for anything) to sue some company's for violation of his portrait rights. And perhaps to start his own talkshow. This sounds like a pretty crazy story to me, but it might very well be true. Confirmation anyone?

Also, I can imagine Microsoft would be eager to have him as a Communication Manager. "There are no bugs in windows!"

[ 04-29-2003, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

Stratos · 04-29-2003, 04:39 PM

Got this from BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2986459.stm

They even dubbed him "Comical Ali"

Oh, and check this out too...

http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/

[ 04-29-2003, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: Stratos ]

johnny · 04-29-2003, 09:36 PM

They are creating some kind of hype around this guy, i don't believe all those stories. I think it's more likely that he killed himself.

Iron_Ranger · 04-29-2003, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnny:
TI think it's more likely that he killed himself.

Yeah..Thats the rumor I hear alot..But I have not heard anything in the media about it, and considering he was so popular with the media, you think they would be all over it, if it were true.

Edit-You know, I am not real sure he would be much safer in America, he is not very well liked here. But I am sure he would change his idenity anyway.

[ 04-29-2003, 10:13 PM: Message edited by: Iron_Ranger ]

Dreamer128 · 04-30-2003, 06:22 AM

Looks what I found...

Saddam's mouthpiece 'seeks surrender'

Sahhaf: Became a cult figure in the West
Former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf is attempting to surrender to US forces, according to a London-based Arabic newspaper.
But Al-Sharq al-Awsat says the Americans have refused to arrest Mr Sahhaf - who became a familiar face during the war with his upbeat assessments of Iraqi military "successes" - because he does not appear on their "most wanted" list of 55 former regime officials.

An Iraqi Kurdish official told the newspaper that Mr Sahhaf was staying at his aunt's house in Baghdad, and was under surveillance by US forces.

He said the former minister was still trying to negotiate his arrest, fearing for his safety in the Iraqi capital.

Mr Sahhaf's daily press briefings in Baghdad during the war, at which his statements were increasingly at odds with reality, made him a cult figure in the West.

He was dubbed "Saddam's optimist" and "Comical Ali" by media commentators.

A website called We Love the Iraqi Information Minister, carrying his soundbites, has become an internet phenomenon after being set up by a group of New York friends.

Mr Sahhaf disappeared after American forces entered central Baghdad, but not before insisting: "They are going to surrender or be burned in their tanks."

US President George W Bush has admitted that he enjoyed Mr Sahhaf's briefings so much that he used to interrupt some of his meetings just to watch him.

"He's my man, he was great," he told NBC television in a recent interview. "Somebody accused us of hiring him and putting him there. He was a classic."

Despite being the regime's mouthpiece, Mr Sahhaf is not considered to have been one of Saddam Hussein's closest allies.

A Shia Muslim, he was an outsider in the Sunni-dominated government that was in power since 1968.

He was one of the few senior Iraqi officials not to come from the area around Saddam Hussein's home town, Tikrit.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/2986459.stm

Horatio · 05-02-2003, 01:04 PM

I really hope this guy didn't kill himself. He's WAY to funny to go anywhere yet!

pritchke · 05-02-2003, 01:10 PM

The guy is currently alive and well. The suicide thing was a false rumour.

[ 05-02-2003, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

Dreamer128 · 05-04-2003, 07:06 AM

Sorry Stratos, it would appear I posted your article

On another note; take a look at this.

Do not click the link! Copy and Paste it! You have been warned...
http://www.somethingawful.com/mjolni...lenswrench.jpg

[ 05-04-2003, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

Stratos · 05-04-2003, 01:37 PM

Yeah, I thought I recogniced it from somewhere

,but you are forgiven.

04-29-2003, 04:39 PM	#2
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 43 Posts: 3,888	Got this from BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2986459.stm They even dubbed him "Comical Ali" Oh, and check this out too... http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/ [ 04-29-2003, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: Stratos ] __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.

04-29-2003, 09:36 PM	#3
johnny 40th Level Warrior Join Date: April 15, 2002 Location: Utrecht The Netherlands Age: 58 Posts: 16,981	They are creating some kind of hype around this guy, i don't believe all those stories. I think it's more likely that he killed himself. __________________

05-02-2003, 01:04 PM	#6
Horatio Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: September 19, 2001 Location: Behind these metal bars Age: 41 Posts: 3,117	I really hope this guy didn't kill himself. He's WAY to funny to go anywhere yet! __________________ I <b>am</b> the party!!<br /> [img]\"http://zert0.net/iuti/img2/1381585-vi.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

05-04-2003, 01:37 PM	#9
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 43 Posts: 3,888	Yeah, I thought I recogniced it from somewhere ,but you are forgiven. __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.

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04-29-2003, 04:31 PM	#1
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 39 Posts: 6,136	I just heard that the (former) Iraqi minister of information has turned himself in.. or tried to do so. Apparantly, the Americans send him home, despite his complaints that his life was in danger. He is now hiding with his aunt in Bagdad. The Americans were kind enough to advice him to travel to the US (he isn't wanted for anything) to sue some company's for violation of his portrait rights. And perhaps to start his own talkshow. This sounds like a pretty crazy story to me, but it might very well be true. Confirmation anyone? Also, I can imagine Microsoft would be eager to have him as a Communication Manager. "There are no bugs in windows!" [ 04-29-2003, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

04-30-2003, 06:22 AM	#5
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 39 Posts: 6,136	Looks what I found... Saddam's mouthpiece 'seeks surrender' Sahhaf: Became a cult figure in the West Former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf is attempting to surrender to US forces, according to a London-based Arabic newspaper. But Al-Sharq al-Awsat says the Americans have refused to arrest Mr Sahhaf - who became a familiar face during the war with his upbeat assessments of Iraqi military "successes" - because he does not appear on their "most wanted" list of 55 former regime officials. An Iraqi Kurdish official told the newspaper that Mr Sahhaf was staying at his aunt's house in Baghdad, and was under surveillance by US forces. He said the former minister was still trying to negotiate his arrest, fearing for his safety in the Iraqi capital. Mr Sahhaf's daily press briefings in Baghdad during the war, at which his statements were increasingly at odds with reality, made him a cult figure in the West. He was dubbed "Saddam's optimist" and "Comical Ali" by media commentators. A website called We Love the Iraqi Information Minister, carrying his soundbites, has become an internet phenomenon after being set up by a group of New York friends. Mr Sahhaf disappeared after American forces entered central Baghdad, but not before insisting: "They are going to surrender or be burned in their tanks." US President George W Bush has admitted that he enjoyed Mr Sahhaf's briefings so much that he used to interrupt some of his meetings just to watch him. "He's my man, he was great," he told NBC television in a recent interview. "Somebody accused us of hiring him and putting him there. He was a classic." Despite being the regime's mouthpiece, Mr Sahhaf is not considered to have been one of Saddam Hussein's closest allies. A Shia Muslim, he was an outsider in the Sunni-dominated government that was in power since 1968. He was one of the few senior Iraqi officials not to come from the area around Saddam Hussein's home town, Tikrit. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/2986459.stm

05-02-2003, 01:10 PM	#7
pritchke Bastet - Egyptian Cat Goddess Join Date: September 5, 2001 Location: Calgary, AB Age: 49 Posts: 3,491	The guy is currently alive and well. The suicide thing was a false rumour. [ 05-02-2003, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

05-04-2003, 07:06 AM	#8
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 39 Posts: 6,136	Sorry Stratos, it would appear I posted your article On another note; take a look at this. Do not click the link! Copy and Paste it! You have been warned... http://www.somethingawful.com/mjolni...lenswrench.jpg [ 05-04-2003, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

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