WASHINGTON, 14 April 2003 — US authorities have samples of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s DNA, the commander of US operations in Iraq said yesterday.
If the Iraqi dictator is still alive, he is under pressure, Gen. Tommy Franks told CNN in an interview.
“He’s either dead or running a lot,” Franks said. When asked what his own belief was, he answered: “My boss doesn’t permit me to have hunches.”
“He’ll simply be alive until I can confirm he’s dead,” Franks said.
“Of course, of course,” Franks replied when asked if the United States had samples of Saddam’s DNA.
Franks did not state how the sample had been obtained.
He said US experts were intent on taking samples to check if Saddam or his family members were among the Iraqi dead.
“The appropriate people with the appropriate forensics are doing the appropriate checks,” Franks said.
Franks said he believed it would be possible to identify Saddam, “unless remains were removed” at the site of recent heavy bombings in a residential area where Saddam and his top officials were believed to be.
