Iraqi Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani said on Saturday he had unsuccessfully mediated for the surrender to U.S. troops of Saddam Hussein's senior aide Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri.
Talabani, who on Saturday became rotating head of Iraq's U.S.-backed Governing Council, told Al-Rai Al-Aam that the ousted regime's number two offered to surrender provided he is not handed to Kuwait and he receives a pardon.
"One of his relatives requested us to mediate with the U.S. government that he (Duri) gives himself up provided he is not handed to Kuwait and that he gets medication," Talabani, in Kuwait on an official visit, said.
"I relayed to him that the Americans will not hand him over to Kuwait but he will be tried like other Iraqis. I believe he refused because he wanted to be pardoned," he said.
Moreover, Talabani said he believes Duri is currently inciting people to commit suicide attacks against U.S. soldiers in Iraq, adding credibility to U.S. suspects that the former vice president may be coordinating the attacks. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
