President of Iraq

Personal--

• --Born in 1937 in Takrit, Iraq.
• --Married to a Miss Tofa and known to have at least one mistress.
• --Four children.

Professional--

• --Cairo University, Egypt.
• --Al-Mustansariyah University, Baghdad.
• --Joined the Baath Party, 1956.
• --Sentenced to death for attempted assassination of General Kassem, fled country and lived in Syria and Egypt, 1959-63.
• --Member of the 4th Regional Congress and 6th National Congress, 1963.
• --Arrested for plotting overthrow president Abdul Salem Aref, 1964.
• --Played a leading role in July, 1968 Revolution.
• --Vice-President, Revolutionary Command Council, November 1969.
• --Attained rank of General, January 1976.
• --President of the Republic of Iraq, 1979.

*Saddam Hussein's life has been marked by violence. Beginning in the 1950's, Hussein was an active player in the coups and countercoups that took place in Iraq. He established Iraq's secret police force and has used it effectively to eliminate political opposition to Baath party rule. Soon after acceding to the Presidency, he invaded Iran and began a bloody war that killed untold thousands and ended in stalemate eight years later. He then turned his military against his own people, the rebellious Kurds, by indiscriminately dropping chemical weapons on civilians. In August of 1990, he once again flexed his military muscle by invading Kuwait and systematically destroying that country.

Saddam Hussein has also shown his tyrannical ways in his dealings with his own military. It has been reported that many of the commanders who survived his war with Iran were systematically purged and murdered to eliminate them as a political threat to his rule. He has surrounded himself with a cabinet that supports his every move and, it is belived, had shielded him from many of the facts regarding U.S. and Allied troop strength.

Hussein seems to regard the war with the United States and Israel as a "destiny" he must fulfill. Although not regarded as a religious man, in recent months he has taken a more active interest in Islam and called for a "holy war" against the Allied forces. In addition, he has a large ego common to many dictatorial leaders and defeating this may be more difficult than defeating his military forces.

Many consider Saddam Hussein to work best when under the greatest pressure. Given the condition of his military, the devastation of his economy and the state of civil war that exists in parts of his country, he is now confronted with the difficult task of just staying in power. Many of the P.O.W.'s captured by the Americans stated their total hatred for Hussein and these feelings are certain to be felt amongst some of the officers in his Army. A coup attempt is almost certain and civil revolt is likely to continue for several more months. Many suspect that Hussein's death is certain following the end of the war; whether at the hands of his own military in a coup or under fire from rebel forces has yet to be determined.

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