Iraqi 'Secret Surrender' Efforts Under Way

U.S. Engaged In Negotiations With Saddam's Key Military Officials

March 12, 2003

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is engaged in "secret surrender" negotiations with key Iraqi military officials in hopes that some units will not fight should there be a war, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. officials.

CNN, citing its sources, reported that communications with these Iraqi military officials were not being handled by the Pentagon, but by other "elements" of the U.S. government.

A State Department spokeswoman dismissed the reported surrender negotiations saying: "That doesn't make any sense. What's to surrender?"

CNN quoted one senior U.S. official as saying that some elements of the Iraqi military may have already agreed not to fight should a U.S.-led force invade Iraq to disarm Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Officials declined to divulge specific details of the effort to communicate with members of the Iraqi military because of concern that Saddam could seek retribution against disloyal soldiers.

At a news briefing on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters that there are private communications with the Iraqi army already under way about how to be spared during any war.

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