If today's reporting in the Washington Post by Karen DeYoung and Michael Abramowitz is correct, Saddam Hussein was willing to go into exile as a means of avoiding the war in Iraq.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Less than a month before the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein signaled that he was willing to go into exile as long as he could take with him $1 billion and information on weapons of mass destruction, according to a report of a Feb. 22, 2003, meeting between President Bush and his Spanish counterpart published by a Spanish newspaper yesterday.
If true, this is simply an amazing development! It is proof positive the war had little or nothing do with Saddam, but that Saddam Hussein was the excuse the Administation needed to occupy Iraq.
Later in the conversation, Aznar returned to the subject. "Is it true there's a possibility Saddam Hussein might go into exile?" "Yes, it's possible," Bush responded. "It's also possible he could be assassinated." In any case, Bush said, there would be "no guarantee" for Hussein....
Again, this is a stunning development. The removal of Saddam could have transpired without bloodshed. It also raises the very significant question of why we really went to war with Iraq and sought to occupy the country.
"The only thing that worries me is your optimism," Aznar said.
"I'm optimistic because I believe I'm right," Bush replied. "I'm at peace with myself."
Astonishing!