Saddam's Popularity Thrives In His Hometown
T I K R I T, Iraq, Feb. 10 -- The president of Iraq was born in a mud hut, and given the name Saddam, which turned out to be apt. In Arabic, it means "one who confronts."
The hut no longer stands, but for what Iraqi officials said was the first time, foreign reporters were allowed to visit al-Auja, the village on the outskirts of the north-central Iraq town where Saddam Hussein was born April 28, 1937.
They were greeted by Saddam's first cousin, Sheik Mahmoud Al-Nida, the head of the family tribe. After running through a series of denunciations of American aggressions, he pulled out some American cigarettes and said that he actually likes American people.
Journalists traveled 100 miles north of Baghdad for a rare tour of Tikrit, Iraq, Saddam's birthplace and power base. If there is a war, Tikrit — which still bears some of the scars from previous American bombings — could see some of the fiercest fighting, in defense of its native son.
Saddam’s Old Haunts
Many of Saddam's top aides in Baghdad call Tikrit home. When Tikrit residents went to the polls back in October, some pricked their thumbs with needles or knives before pressing them on the box marked "Yes" to re-elect Saddam.
Visiting journalists were escorted by a group of friendly but watchful local officials. Included in the itinerary was a stop at Saddam's old high school and a visit to the classroom where the Iraqi dictator once studied.
Another stop: a parade ground constructed for Saddam's annual birthday celebrations.
On Saturday, Saddam's hometown put on a show of support for the Iraqi president, in the face of warnings from the United States that his days are numbered. Tens of thousands of armed men marched the streets, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the arrival of Saddam's Baath Party coming to power.
Guest of Honor Absent
Saddam wasn't there for the celebration.
Saddam endured what was, by all accounts, an unhappy childhood. His father died either before he was born or shortly thereafter, and his stepfather beat him. His mother, Subha, attempted suicide. When Saddam was born — as a testimony to how depressed the mother was — she wouldn't even look at her newborn child nor accept him into her arms.
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