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American Morning

Tariq Aziz Surrenders to U.S. Forces in Baghdad

Aired April 25, 2003 - 08:03   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of attention given to Tariq Aziz yet again today. Back to that story right now in Baghdad, one of the most visible figures from the now-toppled regime in U.S. hands now. But can he help authorities track down Saddam Hussein or even his sons?
Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, the eight of spades in the deck of cards dealt out to U.S. troops to help them identify fleeing Iraqi leaders. For years, Tariq Aziz was the de facto Iraqi spokesman.

The latest now from Baghdad and Rym Brahimi.

Good afternoon -- Rym.

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Bill.

Well, indeed, a lot of questions here, following the surrender of Tariq Aziz. Apparently, he surrendered at 11:00 p.m. on Thursday. He had been staying at a relative's house not too far from the center of Baghdad.

Now, he apparently has spent the past few days, according to relatives who spoke with Nic Robertson who was over at the house this morning, those relatives said Tariq Aziz had spent the past few days organizing his surrender. One of his main concerns being that he would be able to do so in a dignified way.

And of course, it does send a very clear message that someone of his prominence, of his high rank among the Regional Command Council which was the highest authority in the country under the previous regime, well, this sends a message that the regime is now definitely gone. It also means that someone like Tariq Aziz would probably now at this stage feel safer in U.S. custody than he would in the hands of the Iraqis.

As for what kind of information Tariq Aziz can deliver, well, as you mentioned, Bill, 67 years old, one of the closest aides to Saddam Hussein. They go back, back to the '50s when they were students together and both members of the then banned Baath Party which became the ruling Baath Party under Saddam Hussein's rule of law.

How likely is this to affect Saddam Hussein? We spoke to Wamid Nadhmi, an analyst here in Iraq. Let's listen to him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WAMID NADHMI, POLITICAL ANALYST: The surrender of Tariq Aziz might elevate him, but I don't think he will be shocked or will have any large reaction of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and disappointment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRAHIMI: Now, of course, this will raise a lot of questions. The U.S. administration definitely keen to find out whether someone like Tariq Aziz can reveal the whereabouts of President Saddam Hussein and confirm to them whether he is dead or alive.

And then, of course, Bill, we have this latest information regarding the possible spotting of Farouk Hijazi, who used to be one the spies or intelligence chiefs under the regime, and that could be something very important indeed -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Rym, we will track that. In the meantime, it looks like another fierce sandstorm is kicking up there. Is that the case?

BRAHIMI: Absolutely. It's a huge sandstorm. It's about the third in the past 10 days or so, and it's made the city look really awkward, all yellow. You can hardly recognize some of the places that we used to pass by every single day when we used to be here, because they're all covered in this yellow dust. So a very weird atmosphere indeed -- Bill.

HEMMER: Hang in there, Rym. Thanks -- Rym Brahimi again in Baghdad.

And as Rym was indicating, Reuters is now reporting the former Iraqi spy chief, Farouk Hijazi, detained by U.S. officials near the border with Syria. When we get more on this, we'll certainly pass it along to you.

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 April 25, 2003 - 08:03   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of attention given to Tariq Aziz yet again today. Back to that story right now in Baghdad, one of the most visible figures from the now-toppled regime in U.S. hands now. But can he help authorities track down Saddam Hussein or even his sons?
Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, the eight of spades in the deck of cards dealt out to U.S. troops to help them identify fleeing Iraqi leaders. For years, Tariq Aziz was the de facto Iraqi spokesman.

The latest now from Baghdad and Rym Brahimi.

Good afternoon -- Rym.

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Bill.

Well, indeed, a lot of questions here, following the surrender of Tariq Aziz. Apparently, he surrendered at 11:00 p.m. on Thursday. He had been staying at a relative's house not too far from the center of Baghdad.

Now, he apparently has spent the past few days, according to relatives who spoke with Nic Robertson who was over at the house this morning, those relatives said Tariq Aziz had spent the past few days organizing his surrender. One of his main concerns being that he would be able to do so in a dignified way.

And of course, it does send a very clear message that someone of his prominence, of his high rank among the Regional Command Council which was the highest authority in the country under the previous regime, well, this sends a message that the regime is now definitely gone. It also means that someone like Tariq Aziz would probably now at this stage feel safer in U.S. custody than he would in the hands of the Iraqis.

As for what kind of information Tariq Aziz can deliver, well, as you mentioned, Bill, 67 years old, one of the closest aides to Saddam Hussein. They go back, back to the '50s when they were students together and both members of the then banned Baath Party which became the ruling Baath Party under Saddam Hussein's rule of law.

How likely is this to affect Saddam Hussein? We spoke to Wamid Nadhmi, an analyst here in Iraq. Let's listen to him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WAMID NADHMI, POLITICAL ANALYST: The surrender of Tariq Aziz might elevate him, but I don't think he will be shocked or will have any large reaction of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and disappointment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRAHIMI: Now, of course, this will raise a lot of questions. The U.S. administration definitely keen to find out whether someone like Tariq Aziz can reveal the whereabouts of President Saddam Hussein and confirm to them whether he is dead or alive.

And then, of course, Bill, we have this latest information regarding the possible spotting of Farouk Hijazi, who used to be one the spies or intelligence chiefs under the regime, and that could be something very important indeed -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Rym, we will track that. In the meantime, it looks like another fierce sandstorm is kicking up there. Is that the case?

BRAHIMI: Absolutely. It's a huge sandstorm. It's about the third in the past 10 days or so, and it's made the city look really awkward, all yellow. You can hardly recognize some of the places that we used to pass by every single day when we used to be here, because they're all covered in this yellow dust. So a very weird atmosphere indeed -- Bill.

HEMMER: Hang in there, Rym. Thanks -- Rym Brahimi again in Baghdad.

And as Rym was indicating, Reuters is now reporting the former Iraqi spy chief, Farouk Hijazi, detained by U.S. officials near the border with Syria. When we get more on this, we'll certainly pass it along to you.

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