BUSTED FLUSH

Tariq Aziz 'captured' (BBC, 4/24/03)

United States officials say they believe that one of Saddam Hussein's most prominent ministers, Tariq Aziz, is in US custody.

Tariq Aziz was deputy prime minister in the Iraqi regime and one of the best-known members of government in the West.

The BBC's Pentagon correspondent, Nick Childs, says it could be the most significant arrest by coalition forces so far.

Mr Aziz may have information on the location of Saddam Hussein and any programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction, which was the reason for the US-led coalition going to war.

He is listed among Iraq's so-called "dirty dozen" and as a member of the Revolutionary Command Council he is wanted by the US for war crimes against Kuwait, Iran and his own people.

Details are scarce and it is not known where or how he was arrested or even whether he surrendered.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 24, 2003 5:44 PM