WASHINGTON (AP) - American officials say they have no new information
that proves Saddam Hussein is alive or dead, although some officials say
they must assume he is alive.
U.S. officials said Tuesday that some in the Bush administration
believe that he survived last week's airstrike aimed at the Dora Farms
complex where he slept. Others, however, say the intelligence remains
inconclusive and sometimes contradictory about his status.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee,
said he believes Saddam is alive.
``I've found credible the statements that he has made since then'' as
proof he is alive, he said.
From Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., a presidential candidate and former
chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he also believes
Saddam is alive.
``The intelligence agencies, both ours and the British, I think have
concluded that he is still alive, that he might have been injured as a
result of that first night's bombing,'' he said. ``As long as he is living
and functioning, he will continue his authoritarian rule over the
country.''
American intelligence officials, however, disputed Graham's contention
that they have reached any conclusion about Saddam's status.
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