Posted on 06/20/2005 1:43:13 PM PDT by jmc1969
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A fugitive confidant of Saddam Hussein who is now believed to be an insurgent leader is sick and losing influence among leaders of the outlawed Baath party, the Iraqi government said Monday.
The government's statement said Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri nonetheless retained his ability to "recruit terrorists and finance terrorist attacks with money he stole from Iraq and transferred to Syria during the rule of the tyrant Saddam."
It did not say what the red-haired al-Douri was sick with, or explain how it knew about his health. Al-Douri is thought to be in his late 60s and little is known about his whereabouts following Saddam's ouster in 2003.
With a $10 million bounty on his head, al-Douri is believed to be playing a key role in the two-year insurgency wracking much of Iraq. Former Baathists, embittered by their loss of power after Saddam's ouster, are thought to be a key component of the insurgency.
Al-Douri is believed to lead groups called the New Regional Command and the New Baath Party.
Citing reports, the government announcement said al-Douri's bad health had undermined his sway over Baathist leaders because of his inability to communicate with them.
(Excerpt) Read more at phillyburbs.com ...
"Losing influence" usually means you're the attraction at the next stone 'em party.
I hear that "Dance of the Spider Hole" in the distance.
"Losing Influence" probably indicates he's short on cash.
He's the red headed guy. Can't believe he's still out there.
No kidding. You'd think it would be like spotting Carrot Top on the streets of Harlem.
Clairol. I'm just saying'...
LMAO!
I remember a relative of him was captured long ago at a clinic for blood transfusion due to leukemia, which was also rumored that al-Douri had too. Could it be leukemia?
ping
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri is believed to have been very ill for some years. There are contradictions about his health, and there are some reports that he's trying to put out false information purposely. It is said that he suffers from leukemia and undergoes blood transfusions every six months for treatment. In 1999 he visited Vienna Austria for treatment of leukemia. The Austrian opposition demanded that he be arrested for war crimes, but the government allowed him to leave the country.
Maybe his reward should be reduced to $9M.
Here's hoping it's lead poisoning...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.