ALTERNATIVE TO NEEDLESS BLOODSHED

 

Baghdad proposes single combat to resolve dispute with Washington

 

Duel is best way to settle it, says Iraq
The Times,  London   Friday, October 4, 2002

By RICHARD BEESTON, Diplomatic Editor

BAGHDAD—President Bush should fight a duel with Saddam Hussein and spare the world another bloody war, Baghdad said yesterday.

The contest was proposed by Taha Yassin Ramadan, the Iraqi Vice-President, who suggested that the two settle their dispute with the UN as referee. He even offered to take part in a team contest—"a president against a president, vice-president against a vice-president, and a minister against a minister."

Since both leaders pride themselves on their strength, a fight night could be interesting. Dick Cheney, Mr Ramadan's counterpart, has a heart condition—hence, presumably, the team idea. As for ministers, General Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, would easily take Naji Sabri, Iraq's sharp-witted but softly spoken Foreign Minister.

 

But don't expect all those strutting pretenders on Pennsylvania Avenue and in the Pentagon, who are so eager to shoot from the lip and slaughter thousands from a safe distance, to step out to the field of honor in a straightforward and manly manner.