Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 1, 1991 TAG: 9103010798
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: ANDREW MOLLISON COX NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
"We have heard that rumor. We do not have anything on it at this time," said a State Department spokeswoman who declined to be named.
"Algerian authorities are seeking assurances from the coalition allies that they will not pursue Saddam Hussein once he is in exile," Algiers correspondent Georges Marion reported in Le Monde, a conservative Paris newspaper with many close contacts in former French colonies.
"I don't have any more information than that," said Marine Brig. Gen. Richard Neal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Secretary of State James Baker said he could not confirm the report. "I don't think many tears would be shed if Saddam Hussein were to leave power," he said.
Because Saddam is very popular in Algeria, authorities there would like to grant the request, unless it results in charges that it is harboring a war criminal, Marion said.
American officials have called for Saddam to step down, and have also raised the possibility of bringing charges against him as a war criminal.
The desire to do so would have to be balanced against any gains from the removal of Saddam from his power over the government of Iraq.
by CNB