Saddam May Be Coordinating Resistance to U.S.-Paper

October 31, 2003

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein may be playing a key role in coordinating and directing attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq, The New York Times reported late on Thursday, quoting senior U.S. officials.

The officials cited intelligence reports showing Saddam was acting as a catalyst or a leader in the armed resistance, probably from somewhere near his hometown Tikrit, it said.

The administration of President Bush has said Saddam was on the run and insignificant, it noted, adding the latest intelligence lent urgency to the hunt for the former dictator.

The officials cited by the Times acknowledged that the reports of Saddam playing a leadership role could not be corroborated, and one official quoted in the story said intelligence reports offered conflicting views.

The Pentagon had no immediate comment on the report.

The New York Times said Saddam was believed to have met with Izzat Ibrahim, a top general described by American officials as playing a significant role in the insurgency that has killed 117 U.S. soldiers since major combat was declared over on May 1. Ibrahim was deputy chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council and is number six on the U.S. list of most-wanted members of Saddam's regime.

The paper quoted Defense Department officials as saying Ibrahim had recently been in contact with the shadowy militant group Ansar al-Islam which Washington has said is the principal "terrorist adversary" in Iraq.

U.S. military commanders have said Saddam is believed to be hiding in the area around Tikrit, moving frequently to avoid detection. There is a $25 million price on his head.

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