Old order crumbles

The Daily Telegraph ^ | April 24 2003

[knighthawk]

THE surrender of former Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz, now in US custody, quickens the pace at which Saddam Hussein's regime is being obliterated.

Now that the military campaign is over, the work of installing a new administration committed to freedom needs to progress smoothly.

And a pivotal element of the task is the demolition and destruction of the old order, pillar by pillar. Tariq Aziz, because of his high visibility and his perceived proximity to Saddam, was an important member of the old order and his surrender may prove significant.

Though he was not officially a part of Saddam's inner circle, Aziz will be an invaluable source of information which may lead to the capture of other senior officials, perhaps even to Saddam himself.

In the reconstruction of Iraq, it is vital that as many as possible of the old guard are rounded up, lest they become focal points for future dissidents or instigators of continued unrest.

It may be, of course, Saddam and his sons made their escape from Baghdad before the first bombs fell, or it may be that they in fact died in the bombardment of the Iraqi capital.

But if he is alive, he now knows that his days of cruelty and shameless self-aggrandisement are over forever.

So on Anzac Day, Australians should feel pride that our forces played their part in a worthwhile cause – the cause of freedom.

Next year, let our contingent of servicemen and women returning from Iraq take pride of place in our commemorations.

[knighthawk]

Australians should feel pride that our forces played their part in a worthwhile cause – the cause of freedom

Indeed.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[Reeses]

the old guard are rounded up, lest they become focal points for future dissidents or instigators of continued unrest.

I'm curious what we're going to do with these people. We can't let them loose and I can't see us shooting them, else who would give up in the future? Will the Iraqi's try them and shoot the guilty for us?

[Route66]

I'm sure Aziz was getting worried the populace would find him and deal with him themselves. But even still, I don't believe Aziz would have turned himself in without a good brokered deal. Whether the beneficiary of the deal is him or his family, I'll bet he's singing as we speak and will have a wealth of information for us.