Does Saddam plan to flee Iraq?

Taken from HERE
Saddam\'s diamond-buying spree suggests he may flee: Report

London, Mar 9 (ANI): Saddam Hussein\'s personal jeweller has been in Thailand on a secret mission to buy millions of dollars\' worth of diamonds, according to a report in The Sunday Times. The trip has prompted speculation that the Iraqi leader may be planning to flee or to send his family into hiding.

Quoting "sources with knowledge of the trip", the report says the jeweller travelled to Bangkok via Jordan and bought the diamonds in the Thai capital in a pre-arranged deal. This was his second trip, Saddam\'s son Uday having sent him there three months ago to buy a ring from an American dealer for 750,000 dollars, the report adds.

Saddam has been a perennial member of Forbes magazine\'s list of the world\'s richest people. Before the 1991 Gulf War he was said to be worth 10 billion dollars, but that estimate has now been reduced to 2 billion dollars, following sanctions imposed by the United Nations on Iraq.

Since the Gulf War he has not left the country, and only a week ago he declared in a defiant address that he would never desert in the event of war. But if, as reported, he is converting some of his fortune into jewels that can be transported easily, he may not mean what he says.

[videoholic]

I heard about this a couple weeks ago.  It\'s fairly possible, but I think he would have a tough time getting out of the country.


heh, but then again Osama did.

Mmm, maybe.

I don’t think he would leave until he realizes the allies are just outside of Baghdad.

He could do a Hitler.. Or he could do a Hitler with a twist.
He says to the people "fight for every street, building ect. do not surrender! Traitors will be shot!" - like Hitler did.

Then when the "allies" arrive at Baghdad (should not take that long) massive shootings in the street take place, but instead of committing suicide he tries to escape the city, deserting the people. The shootings could start massive chaos and he might succeed in escaping.

Maybe dressing up like a woman like “Der Weiße Engel”

[Titan]

Who knows what he\'s planning. He may use the jewels and sell them and make more money and fund something else thats evil.

At this point lets hope not. There would be no better ending to a quick war than to see Mr. Saddam hanging by his toes in the town square a la Mussolini.

Ace

Speaking of fleeing....Saddam has actually killed 2 of his son-in-law by his own hands...

His two son-in-law(who also happens to be his brother\'s son...these dang muslim are all mixed up in their marriage) betrayed him and flee to a neigbouring country...but he tricked them and says he\'ll forgive them if they return to him...which they did...and died by Saddam\'s hand.

[Titan]

I heard about that. He\'s a cold hearted bastard.

I havent heard about the son-in-law thing...but I wouldnt doubt it either.

As for buying the diamonds..he could just be making sure they dont freeze his assets again. He lost 1.4 billion last time.