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* yp02 (ei. 10-6-95) . @ -_ }@ ; ; ‘ ; \ ‘ ‘ 315E-HQ-1448534-302 Cininaioiot Deaf _ "ALA Hasan Al-Majid 0 03/27/2004 _, Page __3 appointed to the RCC. Al-Majid denied that he was one of the four individuals comprising the Council of Ministers, reportedly including Taha Yasin Ramadan, Tariq Aziz, Izzat Ibrahim Al-Duri, and Al-Majid. However, Al-Majid stated that he was "one of the four important people." When asked if there was anyone in history to whom Hussein could be compared, Al-Majid answered, "There is no equal." Al-Majid was surprised, if not disgusted, when he first heard about. Hussein’s actions when captured. He had always considered Hussein to be. courageous. According to Al-Majid, his peaceful surrender shattered that image. Al-Majid believes it would have been more ‘honorable if Hussein had died as a martyr. He now wishes Hussein would commit suicide. Although Al-Majid suspects that other prisoners in the camp share his negative views about Hussein, he claims not to have spoken to them about this matter. ~ According to Al-Majid, Hussein prepared and approved ‘all decrees for the RCC. However, between 1991-2003, the RCC met on only two or threé occasions and these were merely to nominate Hussein to be the President of Iraq. In retrospect, Al-Majid considers this to be a mistake of the Iraqi leadership. He further admitted that the Iraqi leadership bears the blame for granting Hussein authority to make immediate decisions. without the RCC's approval. Al-! “Majid acknowledged that the Iraqi leadership has to answer for remaining silent about their true sentiments for Hussein and added that "we are now paying for it." Al- yMajid considers his current detention to be partial payment for his crimes. He believes that any future payment for his actions will be decided in a court of law. Al- ~Majid stated that ‘if he is released, he would not enter an Iraqi city but instead isolate himself. Although he wants to see his family again, Al-Majid stated he does: not consider himself fit to take care of them. Al-Majid was asked to describe Hussein as a father. He responded by stating that Hussein was a failure as a father, a failure as a leader, a failure as a President and "a failure of everything." Al-Majid emphasized that these characterizations reflected his true feelings, and he denied making them to please or ingratiate himself with the interviewers. Al-Maj id claimed Hussein's only good quality was his charity to individuals. For example, when Hussein would see a poor