December 15, 2003 - The Stamford Advocate: RPCV Congressman Chris Shays says Saddam totally misread our intentions

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2003: December 2003 Peace Corps Headlines: December 15, 2003 - The Stamford Advocate: RPCV Congressman Chris Shays says Saddam totally misread our intentions

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RPCV Congressman Chris Shays says Saddam totally misread our intentions



RPCV Congressman Chris Shays says Saddam totally misread our intentions

Shays: 'His gun was in his holster'

By Joy Woodson and Lisa Chamoff and Gabrielle Birkner Special Correspondent
Staff Writers

December 15, 2003

Congressmen, residents, soldiers and Marines from southern Fairfield County awoke yesterday to hear that American troops had caught Saddam Hussein hiding in a hole on a farm in Iraq.

They said they felt relief tinged with fear of retaliation from terrorists and caution that it will not mean the end of the war.

U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Bridgeport, chairman of the Congressional Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, began warning the nation about terrorism threats in 1999. Shays, who has been to Iraq three times since the war began in the spring, said he believed Saddam's capture was coming.

"The noose had been tightening," he said. "They had been getting closer and closer to catching him. They knew he was near."

The news yesterday was gratifying, he said.

"Saddam totally misread our intentions, and he misread our resolve, and he shouldn't have," Shays said. "What's significant is that not only did we get him with the help of Iraqis, but we captured him alive and, as one person said, 'His gun was in his holster.' "

That was ironic because Saddam encouraged American resistance, even suicides, he said.

"When he had the chance to do the same thing, he surrendered," Shays said. "That's a huge message."

More than 70 percent of Iraqis have not known another leader. With his capture, they can focus on rebuilding the country and not worry that Saddam will return to power, Shays said.

"For over 30 years, the Iraqi people have been under the domination of a brute tyrant," he said. "He will eventually be put on trial and held accountable for the hundreds of thousands of murders he caused."

It does not, however, signal an end to war, Shays said.

"Does this bring us closer to securing Iraq?" he asked. "Yes, it does. But we still have a long way to go. Our troops are going to be there for awhile, but we won't need as many, as more Iraqis are able to take over."

The Iraqi people deserve credit for their role in the capture, Shays said.

"This is not an American revolution," he said. "This is an Iraqi revolution."




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Story Source: The Stamford Advocate

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Iraq; Congress; COS - Fiji

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