United Nations: Iraq's United Nations Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri, who vigorously
defended the Saddam Hussein regime in the Security Council against a US-led attack
against Baghdad, hoped American forces would leave his country soon and there would
be free elections.
Al-Douri, who left New York for Paris on his way to the Syrian capital Damascus,
said before leaving, "I hope the US Army will leave Iraq soon and we will have free
elections, free government and a free future for the people of Iraq."
He hoped ties between Iraq and US would improve one day. "I will see you, I hope, in
a peaceful time with a good friendship between Iraq and the United States," he told
reporters.
Douri, the first to admit that the "game is over", said Saddam was no longer in the
government, "so we are looking to the future", adding, "We have to work together to
have this peaceful relationship between Iraq and the United States."
He also explained in an interview to an Arab television network his reasons for not
willing to stay around in the United Nations following Saddam's fall. "I could not
work in a country that is destroying my nation and killing my people."
The Ambassador said he was worried about his family in Baghdad, with whom he
apparently did not have contact for several days. "I would try finding my people
once I am in Damascus," he said.
April 11 was his last day at the UN and he bid good byes to his colleagues among
whom he was quite popular.
However, the Iraqi mission to the UN would continue to function in his absence with
one of his deputies taking over as Charge 'D Affaires.
PTI
