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Saddam and the Shoe Thrower
Evan Vucci/AP
Did Saddam's daughter, who looted millions from Iraq, secretly fund both the shoe thrower and the bungled coup attempt?
New revelations in Iraq point to a possible link between the shoe thrower and the Iraqi Baathists who just made a botched attempt to topple the government of Nouri al-Maliki and return Saddam’s party to power.
Reports in the Arab media indicate that the Iraqi shoe thrower, Muntather al-Zaidi may have been planning his assault on President Bush for more than a year, helped by Iraqi Baathists seeking to overthrow the U.S,-backed government. One leading Arab website said the al-Zaidi’s handlers may have been funded by Raghad, the eldest daughter of former dictator Saddam Hussein.
The former dictator’s eldest daughter, Raghad, currently lives in self-exile in Jordan and is wanted in Iraq for funding terrorism
Raghad, who currently lives in self-exile in Jordan, is wanted in Iraq for funding terrorism and for looting billions from state funds on the eve of the 2003 war that toppled her father.
Dia’ al-Kanani, the judge investigating the shoe-throwing incident, said Thursday he turned down a request to release al-Zaidi on bail for security reasons, including fear for the suspect’s own security. He said there was a real threat he may be attacked.
An Iraqi government spokesman said al-Zaidi sent a letter to al-Maliki on Thursday asking for a pardon. The journalist described his own behavior as “an ugly act” and asked to be pardoned. There was no comment from the Iraqi government.
Al-Zeidi is a correspondent for al-Baghdadia, a pro-Baathist television station based in Cairo, Egypt, that some suspect is funded by Raghad. He could face two years imprisonment for the assault and for insulting Bush and al-Maliki.
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Servius
So, this isn't some popular hero but a representative of a vicious regime trying to get back in power.
And go figure that having deposed a Sadaam Hussein whose favorites have to contend with those they ruled for influence that they'd hold a grudge.
Genuine representative rule in Iraq is a good thing.
Rick007
The Baath party was started by the Nazis in thw 30's to topple the British rule in Iraq.
OldSarg
and not only that; he's a Journalist!
soufiane
First of all, bush's visit was a surprise so I don't see how could he be planning the attack for a year.
I don't also understand how anybody could be defending Saddam or his party al baath. The guy killed more than a million within and outside iraq. that's why many intellectuals in the arab world see this war as a sick way to achieve a greater good.
However, to say the shoe throwing is weird or inexplicable that's just beyond stupid. More than hundred thousand Iraqi's died and a civil war started. Their schools, hospitals, markets...are destroyed. If you genuinely can't see that as reason for some people to throw shoes at you, I'm afraid you are too self involved.
Rick007
Sunday night on History InternationalThe Nazis and the Baath party
Message
This article is complete innuendo. Bush doesn't seem to get that this man represents the deep rooted frustration felt by Americans and Iraqis regarding his bogus war waged in Iraq and the millions Iraqi and American lives lost as a consequence. I think this shoe throwing act was the only Hand of Courage seen in a long time. I just wish he hadn't missed.
rachelsian
The fact that the man is in jail for throwing a shoe and hurling an insult, shows that the west has failed to even establish freedom of speech in Iraq, much less anything else of note.
robbeast
@rachelsian
What? Did I read that correctly: throwing a shoe at the President is free speech? I guess that any crime is just expression of free speech too.
And I hope Iraq grows strong independently, our job was (or should be) to establish security for a safe political environment not to establish policy in itself. Granted, we (the west) have a lot of modern liberal policies that could help Iraq greatly, it would be a grave mistake for us to impose them on Iraq: that would be imperialism.
Servius
More than hundred thousand Iraqi's died. Not true http://www.iraqbodycount.org/. Although the stats from the hysterical left have dropped some in the face of reality. I remember when they said that we had killed 1,000,000 Iraqis.
We are not responsible for murder committed by someone else. The casualties of the civil war are lower than the casualties from their former ruler.
Iraq, with all of its problems, is better off today than before we came.
beebee
you're a sucker if you believe anything in the iraqi media, especially since it's already been proven that they are basically paid to plant stories by the pentagon. i happen to know for a fact that none of the major news organizations in iraq even bother to translate the news articles in iraqi papers any more, even though they pay attention to opinion pieces. the iraqi press is just a pile of crap, and so is this report by salameh nematt.
opt1muspr1me
He deserves to be in jail. This was attempted assault. he is lucky the shoes missed because if they did hit the President, he would be in much more trouble than he is right now. Throwing a show in an attempt to hit someone is not freedom of speech. Trying throwing your show or anything at the President here in America and see what happens to you.
truthynesslover
I know I sent him 10 bucks.
FYI;
Thursday, December 18, 2008
18 Dead, Dozens Wounded in Baghdad Bombings;
Coup Plot Foiled;
US Fires on Fallujah Shoe-Throwers
Smells lke victory,no?
truthynesslover
All Things Considered, December 15, 2008 · Several thousand people demonstrated in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities to demand the release of the Iraqi TV reporter who hurled his shoes at President Bush. Muntadhar al-Zeidi was arrested after Sunday's incident and charges may be filed against him.
They had pictures of our chimp in chief, hitting it with their shoe.
AH democracy aint it grand?
ARG2008
it's the terrorists again! do you all want some more money and power too?
incognito-ergo-sum
Operative words here, may, maybe, could be and so on. I agree that this was an impromptu meeting, now how could he have known the President was coming, or that he would be allowed in?
The best that can be said is this anti western Saddam supporter, if he is, took advantage of a rare opportunity.
Do not kill the messenger here, because the message was so perfect.
Thank you.
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