Bounty Offered for 12 Iraq Fugitives
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BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Iraq's U.S.-led administration is putting bounties of $1 million each on the heads of 12 remaining fugitives from the coalition's list of the 55 most-wanted Iraqis, officials said Saturday.
Administrators already are offering $10 million for information leading to the capture or death of the 13th remaining fugitive - Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, a senior official in the former regime and a Saddam Hussein confidant who now is the most wanted man in the country.
The 55 most-wanted Iraqis were emblazoned on a deck of playing cards, prepared by U.S. intelligence before the March invasion, with Saddam as the ace of spades. Forty-two people on the list have been killed or apprehended.
"Now that we've captured Saddam Hussein, we want to capitalize on this to clear up the last remnants of the former regime," said Charles Heatly, a spokesman for top U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer.
"Therefore, we are now focused on capturing the final dozen or so of their oppressors who remain from the deck of 55, as well as other ringleaders."
Besides al-Douri, those on the top 55 list still at large include Hani Abd al-Latif Tilfah al-Tikriti, who is believed to be involved in the guerrilla war against the U.S.-led occupation, American officials have said. Both al-Douri - No. 6 on the list - and Tilfah - No. 7 - played senior roles in Saddam's security apparatus.
Interrogated prisoners have suggested the men are helping organize the resistance, officials said. Some analysts dispute the contention that al-Douri is involved in the insurgency, saying he is too busy trying to elude his pursuers.
The administration is offering smaller rewards - from $2,500 to $250,000 - for help capturing other suspected guerrilla leaders.
The new $1 million bounties are on the heads of:
- No. 7: Tilfah.
- No. 14: Sayf al-Din Fulayyih Hasan Taha al-Rawi, Republican Guard chief of staff.
- No. 15: Rafi Abd al-Latif Tilfah al-Tikriti, director of general security.
- No. 16: Tahir Jalil Haboush, chief of Iraqi intelligence service.
- No. 21: Rukan Razuki Abd al-Ghafar Sulayman al-Majid al-Tikriti, head of tribal affairs office.
- No. 36: Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan, presidential adviser, Saddam's half-brother.
- No. 40: Abdel Baqi Abdel Karim Abdallah al-Sadun, Baath Party regional command chairman.
- No. 41: Mohammed Zimam Abdul Razaq, Baath Party regional command chairman.
- No. 44: Yahya Abdellah al-Aboudi, Baath Party regional command chairman.
- No. 48: Muhsin Khadr al-Khafaji, Baath Party regional command chairman.
- No. 49: Rashid Taan Kazim, Baath Party regional chairman.
- No. 54: Khamis Sirhan al-Muhammad, Baath Party Regional command chairman, militia commander.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
