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Saddam Hussein 'wanted $1bn exile deal'

Saddam Hussein offered to go into exile for $1 billion (£500 million) one month before the invasion of Iraq, it has been claimed.

The revelation is contained in a previously unpublished transcript of talks between President George W Bush and the then Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar in February 2003 at the US leader's Texas ranch.

According to a report by the Spanish daily El Pais, Mr Bush told his Spanish counterpart that the Iraqi dictator had made the offer to leave through the Egyptian government, but added: "We'll be in Baghdad by the end of March."

Related Links

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  • Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)