Chapter NINE
Part 1  -  Part 2  -  Part 3  -  Part 4

Scenes from the war.

Saddam Hussein wished to kill two birds with one stone. A victory over the theocratic government in Iran would strengthen his position at home on the one hand, and make him a regional power centre on the other. American encouragement and Saudi Arabia's promise of support tempted Saddam into a senseless war which is almost eight years old. (It is said that Henry Kissinger, President Saddam and Fahd met in Riyadh a day or sq before 11 September.) The Times editorial wrote on 24 September 1980: "The trip which the Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, made to Saudi Arabia this summer took the world by surprise. . . The Saudi royal family would seem to have little in common with