U.S. Troops Arrest 'High-Value Target'
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 16, 2003 — -- Saddam Hussein is not providing much information to his interrogators, but military officials said today his capture has led to key intelligence on the insurgency against U.S. forces in Iraq and to the arrest of a rebel leader described as a "high-value target."
Officials have said they hope Saddam, who was captured over the weekend, will yield clues on both the ongoing search for weapons of mass destruction and the identities of those who have been behind the attacks against U.S. forces since President Bush declared an end to major combat operations in May.
U.S. officials had characterized the former Iraqi dictator, who is being held at an undisclosed location, as defiant and sarcastic, yet resigned to his fate. Saddam, the officials said, has not provided substantial information.
But the officials also have maintained they are gathering valuable intelligence and are closing in on regime loyalists and other high-ranking former Baath Party officials who have eluded capture.
Documents found in Saddam's briefcase led to the arrest today of a senior regime loyalist described as a general — a "high-level target" — and 78 other suspected insurgents during a raid in the restive Iraqi town of Samarra. However, the rebel leader was not on the U.S. deck of cards depicting the 55 most-wanted Iraqis.
The documents also led to the discovery of 14 resistance cells — with between 10 and 20 members each — in Baghdad alone. U.S. officials believe Saddam has given guidance to some key people involved in the insurgency against U.S. troops.
However, military officials do not believe Saddam was actually directing the attacks. They believe his control over the rebels was minimal, but that he provided insurgents with inspiration and money. Saddam had $750,000 in cash with him when troops captured him on Saturday, and a military official told ABCNEWS that a Saddam facilitator has since been arrested with nearly $2 million in new $100 U.S. bills.
In Washington, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today told reporters that CIA Director George Tenet is taking the lead in overseeing Saddam's interrogation.
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