Street justice awaits Saddam defectors

One evening last week, a group of Iraqi men sat smoking cigarettes in a living room in Amman, discussing what appears to be the imminent end...

One evening last week, a group of Iraqi men sat smoking cigarettes in a living room in Amman, discussing what appears to be the imminent end of the regime of Saddam Hussein. What was remarkable about the gathering was the presence of one of Hussein’s close friends. Hussein does not know it yet, but his friend has defected.

‘‘He was scared to death,’’ said an Iraqi who was at the meeting and gave his name only as Ahmed. ‘‘He expects people would drag him through the streets (if Hussein’s regime fell).”

The reported defection of the man — described by Iraqis here as an official involved in the public relations side of the Hussein regime — is a sign of growing anxiety in Iraq among Hussein loyalists who are realising that they are likely to be targeted by the long-resentful populace should Hussein fall.

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Intelligence agents have received threatening letters, anti-Hussein graffiti has appeared with increasing regularity, Hussein has ordered executions of those he suspects of disloyalty.

The organs of Hussein’s control are reportedly taking steps to protect themselves from the kind of rebellion that followed the US-led attack in 1991. Then, in southern Iraq, people killed many Baath Party officials before Saddam’s forces crushed the uprising. (LATWP)