Washington, Apr 02: US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld has denied reports that Washington was engaged in negotiations for ending the war in Iraq, saying the only "negotiations" with Saddam Hussein will be for "unconditional surrender" by Iraq. "The only thing the coalition will discuss with this regime is their unconditional surrender," Rumsfeld said at a Pentagon press conference yesterday.
He accused the Iraqi government of circulating rumours that US officials were discussing an end to the war to convince Iraqi citizens that "the coalition does not intend to finish the job".
"There are no negotiations taking place. There is no outcome to this war that will leave Saddam Hussein and his regime in power," Rumsfeld said.
Asked to comment on the fact that Saddam Hussein's message to the Iraqi people yesterday was read out on TV by one of his cabinet ministers though he was billed to appear personally, Rumsfeld said it was an "interesting" development.
However, he said that it was still unclear whether the Iraqi leader was alive or dead or where he was staying.
"Nobody knows where Saddam Hussein is, whether he is alive or dead.
"I think it's time to be patient and let things play out ... we will know in good time whether he is alive or dead," Rumsfeld said. Bureau Report