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Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Americans Remembered, Inc. - http://www.americansremembered.org
President, 22nd Inf Regt Society - http://www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President/Historian - Nat'l 4th Inf Div Assn - http://www.4thinfantry.org
babcock224@aol.com
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Rumsfeld: Saddam to Have POW Protections
By LARRY MARGASAK
.c The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Saddam Hussein will have protections accorded to prisoners of war as U.S. officials try to press him for information on the insurgency against coalition forces, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld says.
Rumsfeld said Sunday it was too early to know whether Saddam would take a hardened approach with interrogators or would cooperate, but he described Iraq's former leader as one who projected a tough-guy image but was captured as a wimp, cowering in a hole in the ground.
President Bush said in a brief television speech Sunday that Saddam's capture Saturday was ``crucial to the rise of a free Iraq. It marks the end of the road for him, and for all who bullied and killed in his name.''
Bush scheduled a meeting with an Iraqi medical delegation at the White House on Monday.
While U.S. officials are waiting to see whether the capture leads to an increase of insurgents' attacks against troops of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, there has been no indication that the domestic terror alert level will rise above yellow - the middle of a five-color scale.
Saddam was taken to an undisclosed location where, Rumsfeld said, ``he would be accorded the privileges as though he were a prisoner of war - not that he necessarily is one.''
If it is found that Saddam was involved in the attacks against coalition troops, he might be placed in a different category, Rumsfeld said, without elaboration.
``One need not worry that he'll be treated in a humane and professional way,'' governed by the Geneva Convention that spells out the treatment that prisoners must receive, the secretary said on CBS' ``60 Minutes.''
The convention prohibits violence, cruelty and torture of prisoners, while also barring humiliating and degrading treatment.
There were conflicting clues as to whether Saddam was playing a major role in the attacks on coalition forces.
Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno, whose 4th Infantry Division troops caught Saddam, said the lack of communications equipment in his hide-out indicated Iraq's deposed leader was not commanding the resistance.
Conversely, soldiers found $750,000 in U.S. $100 bills in the raid and Rumsfeld said the money was related to the attacks. He accused ``the Saddam Hussein family and his clique of intimates'' of ``providing money to people to go out and engage in acts against the coalition and against the Iraqi people.''
During the arrest of Saddam, U.S. troops discovered ``descriptive written material of significant value,'' another U.S. commander told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity. He declined to say whether the material related to the anti-coalition resistance.
Odierno told reporters that his soldiers were led to Saddam by an informant who was a member of a family close to the deposed leader. However, it was not clear whether anyone could claim the $25 million reward offered for information leading to Saddam's capture.
The first task of interrogators is to learn whether Saddam has knowledge of any impending guerrilla attacks planned against U.S. troops or Iraqis, intelligence officials said.
Officials also want to know where Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri and other remaining senior regime officials and insurgent leaders are hiding.
Rumsfeld said Saddam initially was not forthcoming with that type of information.
``He has not been cooperative in terms of talking or anything like that. He clearly was compliant or resigned ... as he was being examined and as he was being transferred from the hole to the transport that took him away. It's a bit early to try to characterize his demeanor,'' the defense secretary said.
Several U.S. officials portrayed Saddam as a coward, and Rumsfeld joined in.
``Here was a man who was photographed hundreds of times shooting off rifles, showing off how tough he was. In fact he wasn't very tough, he was cowering in a hole in the ground and had a pistol and didn't use it and certainly did not put up any fight at all,'' Rumsfeld said.
``He resulted in the death of an awful lot of Iraqi people and in the last analysis, he seemed not terribly brave.''
12/15/03 05:14 EST
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
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Saddam Tells Troops He Wants to Negotiate
By ALEXANDAR VASOVIC
.c The Associated Press
ADWAR, Iraq (AP) - ``My name is Saddam Hussein,'' the fallen Iraqi leader told U.S. troops in English as they pulled him out of a dank hole that had become his home. ``I am the president of Iraq and I want to negotiate.''
U.S. Special Forces replied: ``Regards from President Bush.''
The exchange, recounted by Maj. Bryan Reed, operations officer for the 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division one day after Saddam's capture was announced, suggested the Iraqi leader may be willing to tell U.S. intelligence what he knows. Of the most immediate importance would be any information on the insurgency that has taken the lives of nearly 200 American soldiers.
On Monday, a series of car bombings at police stations around the Iraqi capital left eight policemen dead and at least 17 wounded, police officials said. The deadliest attack was a suicide mission at a station house in northern Baghdad where the eight officers were killed. Two other car bombings at a west-side station caused seven injuries.
President Bush had warned attacks would continue as experts pored over documents found with Saddam and his interrogation got underway.
Saddam's exact whereabouts Monday were unclear. U.S. officials said only he had been moved to a secure location. The Dubai-based Arab TV station Al-Arabiya said he was taken to Qatar, though that could not be confirmed.
Eventually, Saddam could be tried for war crimes by a new Iraqi tribunal. More immediately, the Americans made clear he faces intensive interrogation - foremost, to find out what he knows about the ongoing rebellion against the U.S.-led occupation and later, about any weapons of mass destruction his regime may have had.
The former dictator - one of the world's most-wanted fugitives - was captured by Special Forces during a massive raid on a farmhouse near Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, according to Capt. Desmond Bailey. Troops from the 4th Infantry Division guarded the area while Special Forces found Saddam and pulled him out of the narrow hole.
``We have him,'' they radioed to division commanders nearby, Bailey said. Saddam was then quickly taken away from the scene.
The tip off came from an individual who was arrested in Baghdad Friday and brought to Tikrit Saturday morning for an interrogation that made clear Saddam was in the area, according to Col. James Hickey, who led the raid. Soldiers were seconds away from throwing a hand grenade into the hole when Saddam surrendered, Hickey said.
Saddam was hiding in a Styrofoam-covered underground hide-out near one of his former palaces in his hometown of Tikrit late Saturday. He was disheveled and wearing a thick beard, and though he was armed with a pistol, the man who waged and lost two wars against the United States and its allies did not resist or fire a shot.
In images broadcast on television to prove his capture, Saddam resembled a desperate fugitive, not the all-powerful president who had ordered his army to fight to the death.
``Ladies and gentlemen, we got him,'' U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer told a news conference. ``The tyrant is a prisoner.''
The lack of communications equipment in Saddam's cramped quarters indicated the ousted dictator was not commanding the resistance, Odierno said.
``He was just caught like a rat,'' said Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno, whose 4th Infantry Division troops staged the raid. ``When you're in the bottom of a hole you can't fight back.''
However, during his arrest U.S. troops discovered ``descriptive written material of significant value,'' a U.S. commander told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity. He declined to say whether the material related to the anti-coalition resistance.
Saddam will now ``face the justice he denied to millions,'' said Bush, whose troops and intelligence agents had been searching in vain for Saddam since April. ``In the history of Iraq, a dark and painful era is over.''
The United States had posted a $25 million bounty for Saddam, as it did for Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network still at large despite a manhunt since November 2001.
It was not known immediately if anyone has a claim to Saddam money, though U.S. forces found him after receiving information from an Iraqi - a member of a family close to Saddam, Odierno said.
Within three hours of the tip, troops were at a farm in Adwar, 10 miles from Saddam's home town of Tikrit, where they found Saddam in a coffin-sized hole.
His capture leaves 13 figures at large from the list of 55 most-wanted regime officials; the highest ranking is Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, a close Saddam aide who U.S. officials say may be directly organizing resistance.
Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, saw Saddam afterward and said the deposed leader ``has been cooperative and is talkative.'' He described Saddam as ``a tired man, a man resigned to his fate.''
Eager to prove to Iraqis that Saddam was in custody, the U.S. military showed video of the ousted leader, haggard and gray-bearded, as a military doctor examined him. In Baghdad, radio stations played jubilant music and some bus passengers shouted, ``They got Saddam! They got Saddam!''
But some residents of Adwar recalled fondly how Saddam used to swim in the nearby Tigris River and bemoaned the capture of the leader who donated generously to area residents.
``This is bad news to all Iraqis,'' said Ammar Zidan, 21. ``Even if they captured Saddam Hussein, we are all Saddam Hussein. We want freedom and independence from the Americans.''.......
Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division, who all but missed the invasion of Iraq but have been at the front line of postwar hostilities, spent Sunday afternoon smoking cigars after scoring the allies' biggest triumph since the fall of Baghdad.
``It almost seems too easy,'' Sgt. Ebony Jones of Kansas City, Mo., said after his comrades captured Saddam. ``This is the best thing that ever happened to us here.''
In the division's headquarters in Tikrit, two dozen soldiers gathered in front of a television, cheering as their unit's accomplishment began to ripple across the airwaves, quickly dominating the news.
But no one on the base said anything about their mission winding down after such a big catch. Tikrit and the rest of the Sunni Muslim areas north of Baghdad - the area under the 4th Infantry's control - remain one of the toughest patches of Iraq, with or without Saddam, they said.
``His capture will show others that they cannot run and hide,'' said Sgt. Don Williams of Houston. ``Attacks will not stop, but this will have significant impact.''
After sunset Sunday, the streets of Tikrit plunged into darkness and an eery silence. Soldiers on patrol in the city, recalling the increased insurgency after Odai and Qusai were killed said they were being extra cautious.
``We must remain vigilant. We had an increase of attacks after we nailed Saddam's sons, it could happen again,'' said Sgt. Cesar Castro.
12/15/03 05:26 EST
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
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On a sligthly different topic, I've been in touch with CNN since late last week and have the following request from them:
CNN Christmas Piece reference Soldier's Letters
"I know how it must be extremely busy for you now with news of Saddam's capture etc...but if you could still forward me some of the letters you have from the troops for our Christmas show..we are going ahead with our taping on this Thursday, December 18. Thanks again for your help."
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If you have a Christmas letter (or email) from your soldier that would be of general interest and reflect the feelings of a soldier in Iraq, and if you would be willing to share it, along with your name, email address, and phone number and his/her name and unit, please forward an email copy of the letter to me at this email address (babcock224@aol.com) no later than noon tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16. I will send the best 6-10 submissions on to CNN for their consideration for the show which will be aired on Christmas day. (If you have another general interest letter reflecting the soldier's feelings about what they are doing in Iraq that isn't specific to Christmas, that would be considered, too). I do NOT want multi-page letters, only send the few paragraphs that would fit into a short segment on a TV program. And please put into the subject line: CNN letter submission.
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Luxembourg:
15 December 1944 - D+193
Some long range machine gun fire combined with the usual amount of harassing artillery fire was employed by the enemy while he continued to remain on the defensive.
The 4th Infantry Division maintained its defenses. Outposts and searching parties were continued throughout the rear areas.
Enemy activity was negligible except for the fact that the 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry reported receiving 10 rounds of heavy artillery fire during the night.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) My husband is a Longbow Apache pilot, A Co 1-4 Avn, and was 1 of 4 teams that went out from 1-4 Avn in Operation Red Dawn. He said that he is still in shock that they got him since they have gone on so many "Saddam Spottings". He told me that it's not over out there, but today is indeed "quite a day"!! I am so happy for him and all of our Soldiers!! Even the ones that weren't there that day, they ALL have helped to capture Saddam!! Congrats Vipers, Dragons, and 4ID!!!
2) From our friend, Philippe Cornil just off Utah Beach in France, who provides us with our daily history lesson on the 4ID in WWII: Me too, I got excited. For the first time in many months, we have seen MG Odierno with the big Ivy insignia, on the French TV! What a joy, pleasure and satisfaction for me. I'm very proud of all of you. Congratulations, Famous Fourth.
3) I heard from my husband with 1-68 AR, C Co in Al Hawija, just south of Kirkuk. He, of course, was ecstatic, but he said that they are preparing for attacks on them by the locals there. They have had a lot of problems in Hawija and he said that as they drove through town after everyone had heard about the capture of Saddam, the locals were yelling at them, throwing rocks at their vehicles and even giving them the finger. (I guess the finger is universal now!) So, even though I am so relieved that we finally got Saddam and so proud of our soldiers, we must remember that they are still very much in danger and that retaliation attacks seem to be a sure thing. God Bless our Troops and send them all home safely!
4) What an extraordinary day! What a job well done by our 4ID's. everywhere. All of us are so proud of our troops, and their sacrifice they made leaving land and home, and some their lives given, all in the name of FREEDOM!!! Freedom is ringing this day from sea to shinning sea!! And in Iraq and all over the world! Let Freedom Ring!! God bless our troops and give them and the Iraqi people peace this night. And God Bless our troops, everywhere!! From a very proud Mother of an MI (Military Intelligence) soldier!! Thank you, Jesus!
5) Bob, I just wanted to let you know that my husband (4-42 FA) was part of the Raider Brigade who caught Saddam. I received an early phone call this morning about the capture. Before that my husband had e-mailed me and here is a little what he had to say: "WE GOT HIM .. HERE IN AD DWAR.. I WILL ONE DAY TELL MY KIDS THAT I WAS ON THAT MISSION... AFTER A LONG COLD NIGHT OUT THERE, IT'S OVER. SADDAM HUSSIEN IS CAPTURED. I OF COURSE WAS NOT ON THE RAID TEAM BUT MY BATTERY PROVIDED SECURITY FOR DELTA FORCE AND SPECIAL OPS............I'M NOT GONNA LIE, WHEN I HEARD THAT THE "PACKAGE HAD BEEN DELIVERED" I WANTED TO COME TO TEARS.. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHY.. JUST KNOWING I WAS INVOLVED AND I WAS PART OF IT. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED." I am SO PROUD of OUR SOLDIERS. God Bless them ALL. HOOAH!
6) I talked to my son yesterday (Sat) he is with HDC, 204th. He had called at 7:30 PM their time. He sounded really upbeat, now I am wondering if they heard something was going down. I am so glad to have a son who is part of the great 4th ID. These guys were sent there to do a job and they surely proved they could do it. Just want to say how Proud I am of all of them. ....... And then came the news conference which confirmed everything I just heard. And to see those Iraqi journalists jumping up and down brought tears to my eyes. They were finally free after all these years. I just want to send a big "THANK YOU 4th ID" you all should be Very Proud.
7) My brother just arrived back in Samarra this past Friday from being home for his 2 weeks R&R. He's with HHB 3-29 FA. While he was home, he was a little bummed that he wasn't in Iraq when the President arrived for Thanksgiving and even more so when we watched the news last week about the fight in Samarra that killed many of the bad guys. He said all the "good stuff" was happening while he was home, so I never thought I'd say this, but I"m glad he got back to Iraq the day before the 4th ID captured Saddam!!!!!!! I can only think too about all the American people who have lost loved ones in this war. I hope that they have some comfort knowing that this day in history would not have come if not for their sacrifice. My family was at a beach house this weekend celebrating Christmas early when we heard the news. I told my mom "I bet Bob sends us a special updae when we get back home" I knew we could count on you!!! Thanks Bob and THANK YOU 4TH ID!!!!
8) From a high level leader of 4ID in Iraq: Bob, We are very proud of all the 4ID veterans who came before us. We are all extremely proud to wear the 4ID patch on our right sleeve.
9) Wanted to share the email I rec'd from my son (4th ID, 1-22) this morning regarding the capture of Saddam Hussein: "Hey Mom, I received your last letter. I am doing fine. I have not had a lot of time to use the net, so this is the first time I could send you a message. I hope you got to see the news today, and see what we have done. I hope that his arrest will bring us all home sooner. Well I have to go now, I will write again real soon. Love, your son." A proud Mom
10) My son is with the 4th ID, 3BCT, in Balad. Today in church at Cornerstone Church in Madison, Tennessee, our Pastor started his sermon with "It's the Christmas season and Baghdad got their Christmas present early!" The congregration went wild! Over 2,000 people were up on their feet clapping, whistling and cheering. The pastor has said repeatedly that he believed President Bush was the right man for the right job at the right time and he felt it was God's doing. I would like to go a step further and say I believe God put the right soldiers in the right place at the right time! God Bless Our Soldiers! I love the 4th ID!
11) Wow!! What a day!! This is just so awesome. My son is home on mid tour leave. He is a member of 4th ID Raider Brigade. His first reaction was "Way to go, guys!! I can't wait to get back and Congratulate them!" Then, he was a little down because he was here and missed it. Anyway, I am going to make a banner and bring it around to get it signed by people in the Community to go back with him to Iraq when he returns. Just want the soldiers to know this little piece of the country is behind them and appreciates all they are doing!
12) We thank the Lord for our great 4th Inf. My grandson who is in 4-42 FA HHB is home on leave, he said, "Shucks, wish I was there". He says he hopes they get some reconigition after this. He had shown us on the map a few days ago where he is staying, it was Adwar. And when we saw Adwar on the TV today we said, "hey, I know he will wish he was there", and sure enough when he came by tonight and we told him what we had seen, you can guess his first words - "wish I was there". He leaves Friday the 19th to go back he said he can't wait to see the guys and hear about it. So Praise the Lord for the hard work and time our guys an girls are and have been putting in. We are so proud of all them.... From a Proud Grandmother who is Blessed to have a Grandson in the 4th.
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