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Uday Watch

Aired May 23, 2003 - 13:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Joining us to talk more about this, Iraq expert Simon Henderson of the Washington Institute for Near East for Policy. He's the author of "Instant Empire: Saddam Hussein's Ambition for Iraq." He joins us now live from London.
First, let me get your reaction, Simon, specifically to what David Ensor says. He says senior officials say it's not true. Yet it's a story in "The Wall Street Journal."

What's your take?

SIMON HENDERSON, IRAQ EXPERT: Well, yes, that would be exactly the point I would have made. I would hope "The Wall Street Journal" wouldn't put in a story like this unless it was absolutely sure of its sources, and there was a line in David Ensor's piece which referred to such reports being exaggerated. I would prefer, if it was a complete denial, those reports would be described by the Pentagon as being false. But perhaps there is some truth in it, and it would be a very tantalizing story if there is truth in it.

PHILLIPS: And, Simon, in the article it says there are discussions going on. They believe that Uday is -- quote/unquote -- hiding in Baghdad, a suburb, even believe that Saddam Hussein could be in the same type of area. That's pretty specific. Do you find it hard to believe that negotiations would be taking place with someone like Uday Hussein? You would think, OK, If they know about his whereabouts and there's talk going on, they'd be going into capture.

HENDERSON: Well, indeed, but I mean, clearly, they perhaps don't know exactly what house he's in, if he is In Baghdad. I've always had the assumption Saddam is, if he's still alive, is perhaps out of the country. So the reference to Saddam interested me as well, although I was pleased to see he was described as being in questionable mental health, which sort of ties in my image of what Saddam would be doing these days, indeed, what even Uday will be doing these days, which is trying to find some solace in a bottle of whiskey, and once that's finished, drinking another one.

PHILLIPS: And probably another one after that.

Simon, let's say indeed these negotiations are happening. Could there be a theory here, that all right, Uday and Saddam did not have a very good relationship, maybe if we negotiate with Uday, he may tell us where Saddam Hussein is?

HENDERSON: Oh, I'm sure. I mean, Uday is the crazy kid, so to speak. But he's not -- he's a despicable person, but I don't think he's a dangerous person in terms of leading the remnants of the Baath residual loyalists to Saddam, leading them against American forces in Iraq. I mean, the dangerous people are Saddam and Uday's younger brother, Qusay.

Now if Americans can persuade Uday to give himself up, that's a great victory. If they can persuade him to tell them where Saddam Hussein and Qusay are, then that's an even bigger victory. If that persuasion and negotiation requires obfuscation, confusion, denial, of reports that talks are going on, then, frankly, it's worthwhile.

PHILLIPS: Iraq Expert Simon Henderson, no doubt we'll be talking again. Thanks, Simon.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired May 23, 2003 - 13:05   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Joining us to talk more about this, Iraq expert Simon Henderson of the Washington Institute for Near East for Policy. He's the author of "Instant Empire: Saddam Hussein's Ambition for Iraq." He joins us now live from London.
First, let me get your reaction, Simon, specifically to what David Ensor says. He says senior officials say it's not true. Yet it's a story in "The Wall Street Journal."

What's your take?

SIMON HENDERSON, IRAQ EXPERT: Well, yes, that would be exactly the point I would have made. I would hope "The Wall Street Journal" wouldn't put in a story like this unless it was absolutely sure of its sources, and there was a line in David Ensor's piece which referred to such reports being exaggerated. I would prefer, if it was a complete denial, those reports would be described by the Pentagon as being false. But perhaps there is some truth in it, and it would be a very tantalizing story if there is truth in it.

PHILLIPS: And, Simon, in the article it says there are discussions going on. They believe that Uday is -- quote/unquote -- hiding in Baghdad, a suburb, even believe that Saddam Hussein could be in the same type of area. That's pretty specific. Do you find it hard to believe that negotiations would be taking place with someone like Uday Hussein? You would think, OK, If they know about his whereabouts and there's talk going on, they'd be going into capture.

HENDERSON: Well, indeed, but I mean, clearly, they perhaps don't know exactly what house he's in, if he is In Baghdad. I've always had the assumption Saddam is, if he's still alive, is perhaps out of the country. So the reference to Saddam interested me as well, although I was pleased to see he was described as being in questionable mental health, which sort of ties in my image of what Saddam would be doing these days, indeed, what even Uday will be doing these days, which is trying to find some solace in a bottle of whiskey, and once that's finished, drinking another one.

PHILLIPS: And probably another one after that.

Simon, let's say indeed these negotiations are happening. Could there be a theory here, that all right, Uday and Saddam did not have a very good relationship, maybe if we negotiate with Uday, he may tell us where Saddam Hussein is?

HENDERSON: Oh, I'm sure. I mean, Uday is the crazy kid, so to speak. But he's not -- he's a despicable person, but I don't think he's a dangerous person in terms of leading the remnants of the Baath residual loyalists to Saddam, leading them against American forces in Iraq. I mean, the dangerous people are Saddam and Uday's younger brother, Qusay.

Now if Americans can persuade Uday to give himself up, that's a great victory. If they can persuade him to tell them where Saddam Hussein and Qusay are, then that's an even bigger victory. If that persuasion and negotiation requires obfuscation, confusion, denial, of reports that talks are going on, then, frankly, it's worthwhile.

PHILLIPS: Iraq Expert Simon Henderson, no doubt we'll be talking again. Thanks, Simon.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com