Today in Iraq

Today in History

Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam on December 20, 1983

Rumsfeld and Saddam- Today in History Shaking Hands with Saddam Hussein: The US Tilts towards Iraq, 1980-1984. National Security Archive Electronic Briefing. Prolonging the war was phenomenally expensive. Iraq received massive external financial support from the Gulf states, and assistance through loan programs from the U.S. The White House and State Department pressured the Export-Import Bank to provide Iraq with financing, to enhance its credit standing and enable it to obtain loans from other international financial institutions. The U.S. Agriculture Department provided taxpayer-guaranteed loans for purchases of American commodities, to the satisfaction of U.S. grain exporters. The U.S. restored formal relations with Iraq in November 1984, but the U.S. had begun, several years earlier, to provide it with intelligence and military support (in secret and contrary to this country's official neutrality) in accordance with policy directives from President Ronald Reagan. These were prepared pursuant to his March 1982 National Security Study Memorandum (NSSM 4-82) asking for a review of U.S. policy toward the Middle East. Rumsfeld’s Handshake Deal with Saddam: History Out of Media Bounds As it happens, the initial trial of Saddam and co-defendants is focusing on grisly crimes that occurred the year before Rumsfeld gripped his hand. "The first witness, Ahmad Hassan Muhammad, 38, riveted the courtroom with the scenes of torture he witnessed after his arrest in 1982. "At one point, Mr. Muhammad briefly broke down in tears as he recalled how his brother was tortured with electrical shocks in front of their 77-year-old father."The victims were Shiites -- 143 men and adolescent boys, according to the charges -- tortured and killed in the Iraqi town of Dujail after an assassination attempt against Saddam in early July of 1982. Donald Rumsfeld became the Reagan administration's Middle East special envoy 15 months later. On Dec. 20, 1983, the Washington Post reported that Rumsfeld "visited Iraq in what U.S. officials said was an attempt to bolster the already improving U.S. relations with that country." A couple of days later, the New York Times cited a "senior American official" who "said that the United States remained ready to establish full diplomatic relations with Iraq and that it was up to the Iraqis."On March 29, 1984, the Times reported: "American diplomats pronounce themselves satisfied with relations between Iraq and the United States and suggest that normal diplomatic ties have been restored in all but name." Washington had some goodies for Saddam's regime, the Times account noted, including "agricultural-commodity credits totaling $840 million." And while "no results of the talks have been announced" after the Rumsfeld visit to Baghdad three months earlier, "Western European diplomats assume that the United States now exchanges some intelligence on Iran with Iraq." Victims of US bombings in Iraq in November 2005. This is from one home. This happened in Al-Qa’im, and the survivors claim they were told by the US military to stay in their homes.

They are: (name, age, relation to Arkan and cause of death):

Arkan Abdulla Family:

1-Alia Amir, 50, wife, smashed scull, broken ribs, burns and injuries in the chest and abdomen

2- Asma’a Arkan, 23, daughter, suffocation

3- In’am Arkan, 14, daughter, smashed scull

4- Lubna Arkan, 12, daughter, injury in the head and suffocation

5- Abdul Razzaq Arkan, 10, son, broken ribs and suffocation

6- Mahmood Arkan, 22, son, broken scull and suffocation

Saddam Arkan Abdulla Family

7- Khatar Dahham, 28, daughter in law, injuries and broken scull

8- Dhuha S. Arkan, 10, grand daughter, broken scull and injuries in head

9- Abdulla S. Arkan, 9, grandson, intestine tear

10-Thammir S.Arkan, 4, grandson, broken ribs, bleeding inside chest and broken legs

11- Amir S. Arkan, 7, grandson, smashed scull, suffocation and legs injury

12- Yahia S. Arkan, 3, grandson, smashed scull

13- Saja S. Arkan, 2, grand daughter, smashed scull, tissue tear and broken ribs

Fanar Arkan Abdulla Family

14- Najla’a Najim, 22, daughter in law, smashed scull, suffocation

15- Leila Fanar Arkan, fetus, given birth and death certificate at the same time

16- Ahmad Salih Amir, 25 days, nephew, injuries in head, chest and ribs

17- Khattab Mahmood Arkan, 2, grandson, smashed scull

Academics killed in Iraq since March, 2003. 1 Prof. Dr. Emad Sarsam F.R.C.S. in medicine; member of the Medical Arab Board of Medicine and the Iraqi Board of Medicine; well known surgeon and scholar 2 Prof. Dr. Mohammed A.F. al-Rawi F.R.C.S. in Medicine; President of Baghdad University; member of the Arab Board of Medicine; member of Iraqi Board of Medicine; Chairman of the Iraqi Union of Physicians. 3 Prof. Dr. Majeed Hussein Ali PhD. in physics; faculty member of Science College at Baghdad University; One of the country's most prominent nuclear scientists, was found dead earlier this year (2004), shot twice in the back; He had been questioned by the ISG. 4 Prof. Dr. Wajeeh Mahjoub PhD. in Physical Education (mechanism of human body); General Director of Physical Education at the Ministry of Education; Author of 8 text books in Physical Education. 5 Prof. Dr. Sabri Mustapha al-Bayati PhD. in Geography; faculty member at the College of Art of the University of Baghdad. 6 Prof. Dr. Ali Abdul_ Hussein Kamil PhD. in Physics; faculty member of the Physics Department at College of Science, Baghdad University. 7 Prof. Dr. Mustapha al_Mashadani PhD. in Religious Studies; faculty member at the College of Art, Baghdad University. 8 Prof. Dr. Khalid M. al_Janabi PhD. in Islamic History; faculty member at the College of Art, Babylon University. 9 Prof. Dr. Abdul_ Jabar Mustapha PhD. in Political Sciences; Dean of the College of Political Sciences at Al_ Mosul University. 10 Prof. Dr. Sabah M. al _Rubaie PhD. in Geography; Dean of the College of Education at al _Mustansiriea University. 11 Prof. Dr. Asaad Salem Shrieda PhD. in Engineering; Dean of the Engineering College at al _Basrah University. 12 Prof. Dr. Abdul-Latif al-Mayah PhD. in Economy; Chairman of the Researches Department at al _Mustansiriea University. 13 Prof. Dr. Shakier al _Khafaji PhD. in Administration; Director of the Standardization and Quality Control Council of Iraq. 14 Prof. Dr. Marwan G. Mudh'hir al _Hetti PhD. in Chemical Engineering; faculty member of the Engineering College, Baghdad University. 15 Prof. Dr. Lyla Abdullah al_ Saad PhD. in Law; Dean of the Law College at Mosul University. 16 Prof. Dr. Muneer al_ Khiero PhD. in Law; Faculty member at the Law College of Mosul University; Dr. Lyla's husband. 17 Prof. Dr. Mohammed Munim al- Izmerly PhD. in Chemistry; A distinguished Iraqi chemistry professor tortured and killed by the American Interrogation team, dies in American custody from a sudden hit to the back of his head caused by blunt trauma. It was uncertain exactly how he died, but someone had hit him from behind, possibly with a bar or a pistol. His battered corpse turned up at Baghdad's morgue and the cause of death was initially recorded as "brainstem compression". It was discovered that US doctors had made a 20cm incision in his skull. 18 Prof. Dr. Hazim Abdul Hadi PhD. in Medicine; faculty member at the College of Medicine at Baghdad University. 19 Prof. Dr. Abdul Sameia al _Janabi PhD. in Education; al-Mustansiriea University. 20 Prof. Dr. Aalim Abdul Hameed PhD. in Preventive Medicine; Specialist in Depleted Uranium health effects on al Basrah population; Dean of Medicine College at the Mustansiriea University. 21 Prof. Dr. Abbass al_ Attar PhD. in Humanities; faculty member at Baghdad University. 22 Prof. Dr. Bassem al-Mudares PhD. in Chemistry; faculty member of the College of Science at Tikreet University. In July 21, 2004: Dr Bassem al-Mudares' mutilated body was found in the city of Samarra, Iraq. 23 Dr. Mohammed Tuki Hussein al-Talakani PhD. in Physics; Iraqi nuclear scientist; He was a practising nuclear physicist since 1984; was shot dead in Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad. 24 Prof. Dr. Taleb Ibrahim al-Daher PhD. in Physics; at College of Science, Dyala University; Iraqi nuclear scientist was shot dead north of Baghdad by unknown gunmen. He was on his way to work at Diyala University when armed men opened fire on his car as it was crossing a bridge in Baqouba, 57 km northeast of Baghdad. The vehicle swerved off the bridge and fell into the Khrisan river. Al-Daher, who was a professor at the local university, was removed from the submerged car and rushed to Baqouba hospital where he was pronounced dead. 25 Prof. Dr. Muhey Hussein PhD. in Aerodynamic; faculty member at the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Technology University. 26 Prof. Dr. Muhannad al_ Dilaimi PhD. in Mechanical Engineering; faculty member at the Technology University. 27 Prof. Dr. Khalid Shrieda PhD. in Engineering; dean of the Engineering College at al _Basrah University. 28 Prof. Dr. Abdul Alah al- Fadhil PhD. in Chemistry; Basrah University 29 Prof. Dr. Mohammed Falah al- Delaimi PhD. in Physics; Baghdad University. 30 Prof. Dr. Basil al- Karkhi PhD. in Chemistry: Lecturer at Baghdad University. 31 M.A. Kamal al_ Jarrah M.A. in English Language; Scholar and author; General Manager at Ministry of Education; He was killed in front of his home while he was leaving to his office. 32 Prof. Dr. Ala'a Dawood Ph.D.; President Scientific Assistant of Basrah University; He was assassinated while he was leaving the university with three of his colleagues. 33 Dr. Noel Butrus S. Mathew Professor at the Institution of Health in Mosul. 34 Professor haidar albaaj Director of Albasrah hospital 35 Dr Jamhoor kareem khamees University of albasrah 36 Dr Zaki Bakir Alaany lecturer in college of literature Al Munstansiriya 37 Dr Hashim Abdulameer lecturer in college education Al Mustansiriya 38 Dr Sameer yelda kidnapped August 5 2005 39 Dr professor Haithem Ooda deputy head of chemical engineering department in the University of Albasrah - kidnapped 40 Dr Wissam Al Hashimi president of the Union of Arab Geologists 41 Dr Haidar al Ba'aj Director of Basrah educational hospital 42 Dr Nazar Abdul Amir Al Ubaidy Prof at Baghdad University 43 Dr Nafi Aboud Arab Literature Professor 44 Dr Hisham Sharif Head of History Department in Baghdad University 45 Dr Marwan al-Rawi Engineering Professor 46 Amir Mizhir al-Dayni Communications Engineering Professor 47 Iman Younis Head of Translation Department - Mosul University 48 Dr. Suhad al-Abadi Physician 49 Dr. Sadiq al-Ubaidi Neurologist 50 Isam Said Abd al-Halim Geological expert at the ministry of construction 51 Dr Amir al-Mallah Oculist 52 Dr Hakim Malik Al Zayadi lecturer of Arabic literature at Al Qadisyia University 24/07/2005 53 Dr.Raad Abdul-Latif Al-Saadi Ph.D Arabic language Adviser - Ministry of higher Education and Scientific Research 54 Rafi Sarcissan Vancan MSc in English language, Lecturer in the college of Education for Women Baghdad University 55 Dr. Mustapha Mohammed Al-Heti Ph.D in pharmacology, Dean of the Pharmacy college Baghdad University 56 Dr. Haifa Alwan Al-Hill Ph.D in physic, Lecturer in the college of Science for Women Baghdad University 57 Dr. Nafeaa ahmmoud Khalaf Ph.D in Arabic language ,professor in college of Art Baghdad University 58 Dr. Essam Sharif Mohammed Ph.D in History , Assistant professor in college of Art Baghdad University 59 Dr. Hassan Abd - Ali Dawood AL-Rubai Ph.D in Medicine, Dean Deputy in Medicine college Baghdad University 60 Dr. Marwan Rasheed Ph.D in Engineering , Dean Deputy in Engineering college Baghdad University 61 Dr. Saadi Ahmad Zidaan Al-Fahdawi Ph.D in Islamic science , Lecturer in Islamic Science college Baghdad University 62 Dr. Saadi Dagher Morab Ph.D in Fin Art , Assistant professor in collage of Fin Art Baghdad University 63 Dr. Zaki jabar Laftah Al-Saedi MSc. In Veterinary Medicine , Assistant lecture in Veterinary Medicine college Baghdad University 64 Dr. Khalil Ismail abdAldahri Ph.D in Physical Education , Assistant professor in collage in collage of Physica; Education Baghdad University 65 Dr. Fouad Abrahim Mohammed Al-Bayati Ph.D in German, Head of german Department in collage of languages Baghdad University 66 Dr. Falah Ali Hussin Ph.D in Physic, Dean Deputy in college of Science Al-Mustansirea University 67 Dr. Mohammed Najeeb Al-Qissi Ph.D in Geography, Assistant professor in Researches Department Al-Mustansirea University 68 Dr.Hussam Al-Ddin Ahmad Mahmmoud Ph.D in National Education , Chairman of the Education in college of Education Al-Mustansirea University 69 Dr.Mosa Saloum Addas Ph.D, Dean Deputy in Education College Al-Mustansirea University 70 Dr.Samir yield Gerges Ph.D Assistant professor in collage of Administration and Economic Al-Mustansirea University 71 Dr.Qahtan Kadhim Hatim MSc. Assistant In Lecture in college of Engineering Technology University 72 Dr. Muhannad Al-Dilami Ph. In Mechanical Engineering: faculty member Mosul University 73 Dr. Khalid Faisal Hamid AL-Sheekho Ph.D Assistant professor in collage of Physical Education Mosul University 74 Mohammed younis Thanoon MSc. Assistant lecturer in college of Physical Education Mosul University 75 Dr.Eman Abd-Almonaom younis Ph.D in translation , lectural in college of Art Mosul University 76 Dr. Abdul- Jabar Mustapha Ph.D in Political Sciences, Dean of the college Mosul University 77 Dr. Ghassab jabber Attar MSc Assistant lectural in collage of Engineering Al-Basrah University 78 Dr. Kefaia Hussein Salih Ph.D in English language, lecturer in collage of Education Al-Basrah University 79 Ali Ghalib Abd-Ali MSc , Assistant lecturer in collage of Engineering Al-Basrah University 80 Dr. Jamhour Karim Kammas Ph.D in Art Lecturer in collage of Art Al-Basrah University 81 Dr. Abdl-Hussein Nasir Khalaf Ph.D in Research Center of Date palm Al-Basrah University 82 Dr. Fathal Mosa Hussine PhD professor in collage of Physical Education Tikreet University 83 Dr Mahmoud Ibrahim Hussein PhD in Biology Science , Assistant professor in collage of Education Tikreet University 84 Dr. Raad okhssin Al-binow PhD. FRCS in Surgery , lecturer in collage of medicine AL-Anbar University 85 Dr. Ahmad Abdul- Alrahman hameid Al-Khbissy PhD in Medicine, lecturer in collage of medicine AL-Anbar University 86 Dr. Ahmad Abdl-Hadi Al-Rawi PhD. in Soil science , lecturer in collage of Agriculture AL-Anbar University 87 Dr, Shakir Mahmmoud Jasim PhD. in Agriculture Assistant professor in collage of Agriculture AL-Anbar University 88 Dr. Abdl-Kareem Mekhlef Salih PhD, in Arabic Language, lecturer in collage of Education AL-Anbar University 89 Dr. Mohammed Abd-AlHussein Wahed PhD in Tourist , lecturer in Administrable Institute Technical Education Commotion 90 Aamir Ibrahim Hamza Msc , in power electric technique , Assistant lecturer Technical college Technical Education Commotion 91 Mohamed Salih Mahdi Msc , Assistant lecturer in Research center of cancer Technical Education Commotion 92 Dr. Sami Aymen specialists in the field of malignant and chronic diseases 93 Dr. saad yaseen al-ansary professor in the University of Baghdad 94 Dr. Mustafa Al Hity consultant Paediatrician 95 Dr. Haykel Al Mosawi G.P 96 Dr. Mohammed Al Jazairi consultant , orthopaedic 97 Dr. Amir Al Khazragi G.P 98 Dr. Raad Shlash head of the Biology department- school of Science-Baghdad University 99 Dr. Haikal Mohammed al-Moosawy Kindy medical college 100 Dr Raad Muhsin Mutar al-Mawla head of the biological sciences in the college of science 101 Dr kadhim talal husain deputy dean of the college of education in the Al-Mustansiria University 102 Dr Omer Fakhri professor of the biological sciences in the college of science 103 Dr Saad Alrubaiee 104 Khawla Mohammad Taqi Zwain Doctora en Medicina, profesora de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Kufa 105 Jasim al-Fahaidawi Doctor, profesor de Literatura Árabe de la Facultad de Humanidades de la Universidad de al-Mustansiriya