Nicholas Laughlin's blog etc.

The BBC is reporting that Saddam Hussein has announced a general amnesty for all political prisoners held in Iraqi prisons.

"A nationally televised statement from the Revolution Command Council, read by Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, said the 'full and complete and final amnesty' applied to 'any Iraqi imprisoned or arrested for political or any other reason'.

"The amnesty was intended to thank the Iraqi people for their 'unanimity' in last week's presidential referendum, the statement said."

The real reason, of course, is that Saddam is increasingly afraid the US & the UK will follow through on their threats to invade his country, & is trying to drum up international support. Could this be the first step to actually meeting the requirements of existing UN resolutions on Iraqi weapons control? How much more frightened can Saddam get? Is this a sign of hope for the deterrence option?