AN AMERICAN general has promised to treat Saddam Hussein’s fugitive defence minister with "utmost dignity and respect" if he surrenders to United States forces. The commanding general of the 101st Airborne, Maj-Gen David Petraeus, made the offer in a letter written in response to a request by Sultan Hashim Ahmed’s family and tribal chiefs that the army remove Mr Ahmed’s name from America’s list of 55 most wanted Iraqi officials in return for his surrender.
"I offer you a simple, yet honourable alternative to a life on the run from coalition forces in order to avoid capture, imprisonment and loss of honour and dignity befitting a general officer," Maj-Gen Petraeus said in the letter, written at the end of last month. "I officially request your surrender to me. In return, I will accept this from you in person. You have my word that you will be treated with the utmost dignity and respect, and that you will not be physically or mentally mistreated while under my custody. As a sign of good faith, I will personally ensure that my staff will attend to any medical conditions you have," the letter over Maj-Gen Petraeus’s name and signature said.
|