03/07/2003

US announces $25m bounty on Saddam Hussein

The US is set to announce a $25 million bounty on the head of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein – and $15 million for each of his sons.

Initial reports from Reuters indicate that the US offical in charge of Iraq, Paul Bremer, will offer the bottom line bounty: alive or dead, as the US seek information on Saddam, Uday and Qusay's location.

The US launched the war in Iraq with a pre-emptive "decapitation" cruise missile strike against the Iraqi leadership on March 20.

Saddam Hussein apparently survived that bombing and a second strike at a Baghdad restaurant on April 7 – two days before the capital fell to the Americans.

Elsewhere, US President George Bush yesterday warned that anyone who attacks US troops "will be found and brought to justice". The President reportedly promised "harsh treatment" for anyone who brings harm to coalition forces or the Iraqi people.

About 230,000 Americans are serving inside or near Iraq, according to US defense department officials.

About 12,000 coalition forces from Great Britain, Poland and the Ukraine are also serving in Iraq.

(GMcG)

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