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
