The British government ridiculed media reports about the possibility of giving Iraqi Deputy Premier Tareq Aziz, now in the custody of American forces in Baghdad, asylum in swap for information on the whereabouts of Iraqi regime leaders and alleged weapons of mass destruction. The Sun, Britain's best selling daily tabloid, reported that Aziz had told his American captors he was willing to sell them his information in exchange for a new identity and residence in Britain, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Quoting an unnamed "insider", the paper said Aziz feared being executed by Iraqis or being detained by U.S. authorities. Commenting on the report, a spokeswoman for Britain's Home Office said it "is ridiculous to suggest asylum will be granted to an individual who has been involved in activities that have abused the human rights of others." Governments normally have to consider all asylum applications but the 1951 Refugee Convention makes an exception of war criminals. "We do not have to consider it," she said, as U.S. officials questioned Aziz, looking for clues to the fate of Saddam.
| Wonder if Sammy will ask for the same kind of deal when he's caught. In Moscow. |
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