Belgian news rumour: Tariq Aziz dead.

[WinterMute]

According to a Belgian news agency, Tariq Aziz has been killed whilst trying to cross the Iraqi border apparently in an attempt to defect.

An earlier report said he had simply defected.

THIS IS A RUMOUR at the moment, although it has been reported on BBC radio.

 

[bousozoku]

I doubt that it would be possible that he would even think of defecting.

As the Iraqi ambassador, the man sat there in front of international t.v. cameras saying that Iraq had not invaded Kuwait. I could never see anyone with that much misguided loyalty just leaving.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

You have a link for this?

Interesting. Also considering the current sandstorm going on there right now, I imagine he would think it would be his best opportunity.

Weird, though. Defecting? Ha, more like escaping....

D

 

[WinterMute]

Sorry, I've been looking for it on the news sites,and this is the only reference I could find:

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-12271955,00.html

I'm in bed with flu at the moment, and I heard it on BBC Radio 2, they talked about it as an unconfirmed rumour, and it hasn't been repeated on the BBC TV news channel, who're running the same stories on cycle and would otherwise be desperate for news.

I suspect the Beeb are trying to confirm before broadcasting.

 

[WinterMute]

Sky news have just reported that they have seen Aziz in Baghdad, attending a news conference to deny the rumour.

Dis-information obviously.

 

[bousozoku]

Aziz probably gave BBC the information himself.

If people thought him on the other side, they wouldn't shoot at him, would they? You don't have to answer that one.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

He's alive.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/19/sprj.irq.aziz/index.html

Wonder where the rumor came from?

D