Washington: The United States is open to Saddam Hussein and his cohorts opting for
asylum in a third country in order to avoid a war in Iraq and bring a regime change
in Baghdad, Secretary of State Colin Powell said on February 12.
"The time is up. One way to avoid a lot of suffering is for Saddam Hussein and his
cohorts to step down," he said, adding the US is discussing the matter and is in
touch with a number of countries that have expressed an interest in conveying this
message to the Iraqi regime.
In reply to a question by Congressman Jim Leach, Powell told the House International
Relations Committee chaired by Congressman Henry Hyde that the US is looking at
various aspects of such a strategy, where and with what protection and "how exactly
we will operationalise it. I have not had a direct conversation with the UN
Secretary General about it but it is part of our contemplation and
strategising".
"It is something we are looking at and we recognise the attractiveness of such an
option."
PTI
