Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: Iraq.
Iraq
Asked the Prime Minister’s assessment of current events in Iraq, the PMOS said that since we were in what was clearly a fast-moving situation, it was inevitable that any comment by us was at risk of being taken over by events. That said, there was clear evidence to suggest that the command-and-control centres in Baghdad appeared to have disintegrated, although the continuation of localised paramilitary resistance should not be under-estimated. It went without saying that that resistance could be stubborn and fierce. Nevertheless, the pictures we were seeing on television this morning told their own story. They showed the military progress that had been made, which not only we, but the local people themselves, welcomed. We paid tribute to all the troops involved. The pictures also demonstrated the growing belief by the Iraqi people that Saddam would no longer be ruling them.
Asked if we had any intelligence information suggesting where Saddam might be, the PMOS said that we didn’t know where Saddam was and urged journalists to respond cautiously to the large number of rumours and reports relating to his whereabouts.
Asked when the Prime Minister might address the House on Iraq, the PMOS said that it was possible the Prime Minister might not make a Statement until next Monday, given the expectation that he would be visiting Northern Ireland on Thursday. That said, nothing had been settled at this stage. We would just have to wait and see what was decided.
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