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Saddam's secrets

Where are the WMDs?

SADDAM’S SECRETS
How an Iraqi general defied and survived Saddam Hussein
By Georges Sada (the Iraqi General) with Jim Nelson Black
Integrity Media Europe. 316 pages. £6.39 (Amazon)
ISBN 1 59145 504 9

This work is written by a tough, well-educated person who excelled as a pilot, general and informal diplomat during (and after) the presidency of a savage sociopath.

Sada miraculously escaped being killed in Iraq on several occasions. His knowledge and experiences internationally led some to urge him to present his insider account, particularly of the controversial issue of weapons of mass destruction. As an accomplished Iraqi pilot, he trained in Texas and Russia, giving a cross-cultural perspective. He developed meaningful friendships with a Canon of an English cathedral as well as a moderate Imam in America, whose influences are reflected in his vision. He pleads to the president of Syria to release to the UN the seeming massive stockpile of WMDs given to him by Saddam ahead of the weapons inspection.

This is a major and serious work on Iraq’s long history and recent terrorism. It carries very disturbing implications for Europe and the West unless we respond with sustained wisdom, caution and discernment, at all levels of society. Have we that quality of sustained commitment, I wonder?

The author, a convinced Assyrian Christian, demonstrates with humility, integrity and compassion his faith and resulting fruits under constant life-threatening situations. It is written in retirement for the widest audience with clarity and commendable brevity. I think this work should become recommended reading for all involved in Middle Eastern military combats. There is a covertly therapeutic component for those on the way to, as well as on the way home from, active military and civil service in this theatre of war. The author maintains the removal of Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime was right, though observes some awful blunders.

Those on the sharp end of any society, particularly senior politicians, diplomats, journalists, teachers of future generations, might be empowered by this enthralling work. The author (D.V.) still has much to give towards the rebuilding of a shattered people, and as an exemplary, visionary leader in peace keeping.

Having served in the Gulf, I acknowledge being wiser from reading this book; sadder too.

Paul Rogoff,
Haslemere