Stewart Stogel
Saturday, April 12, 2003

"We are staying put, we are not going anywhere," said a senior staffer at the Iraqi U.N. mission in mid-town Manhattan.

A diplomat at the U.S./U.N. mission was surprised by the Iraqi decision.

"We did not expect it and quite honestly we haven't been told how to handle it," the official said, adding, "We expect some guidance from Washington next week."

U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard explained that the U.N. would continue to recognize the "legality" of Saddam's U.N. diplomats until somebody else attempts to challenge it.

Several veteran diplomats say that Washington probably would not authorize any formal challenge until the coalition stabilizes Iraq and establishes a provisional government. That condition may be weeks, even months, away.

Last month, NewsMax broke the story that Iraq's U.N. diplomats cashed in all their financial assets and have a sizeable monetary reserve to keep them afloat for several weeks, if not longer.

Another note that has U.N. diplomats buzzing.

Veteran Iraqi diplomat and Saddam confidant Nizar Hamdoon has been in New York city since January for specialized medical treatment.

Hamdoon, in retirement since 2001 as an adviser to former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, has maintained close ties to the Iraqi government.

Hamdoon, once Iraqi ambassador to Washington and the United Nations, also has old friends on Capitol Hill and in the Bush administration.

An architect by trade, Hamdoon became a Ba'ath Party favorite of Saddam's and gained a reputation as a private "troubleshooter" for the Iraqi strongman.

During his stay in New York as Baghdad's U.N. ambassador, Hamdoon vainly tried to open a back channel to the Clinton administration.

The Iraqi diplomat repeatedly attempted to reach an "accommodation" with then-Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, only to be cut off every time.

Albright's position in private was the same as in public: The U.S. would only deal with the Iraqi government once Saddam Hussein is gone.

Now Hamddon may find himself as the key to closing the saga of Saddam Hussein.

"If Saddam is still alive, and I believe he is, Hamdoon could easily be someone Saddam could turn to," claimed a Russian U.N. official who has had extensive dealings with the diplomat and the former Iraqi government.

"Should Saddam attempt to make a deal with the U.S. government to leave Iraq, it is very possible Hamdoon may try to assist," says the U.N. official.

Meanwhile, as Aldouri left U.N. headquarters for the final time on Friday, he spent some brief moments to venture some personal thoughts.

"I spent two years here [at the U.N.], I was very busy with the problems of Iraq," he said.

He continued: "I was always hoping for peace for the people of Iraq. ... Now we are looking to the future, forward. My hope is that the Iraqi people will live in peace and security. The most important thing is that Iraq will live in peace and security and move towards the reconstruction of the country."

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Saddam Hussein/Iraq
United Nations

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