Former Iraq General Paints Rosy Picture of Falluja
By Michael Georgy
FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - One of Saddam Hussein's former generals entrusted with taming Falluja said Wednesday he hoped to impose security in the country's most rebellious town without firing a single bullet.
"The best strategy is to get what you want without firing a single bullet," said Gen. Muhammad Latif after discussing the fate of the troubled town with a top U.S. Marine commander.
"I consider this the best strategy in history," said Latif.
He painted a bright picture of the task of calming people infuriated by a month-long U.S. siege and fierce battles that have killed hundreds of people in the city west of Baghdad.
He also played down the role of foreign fighters that U.S. Marines blame for some of the violence gripping Iraq and the challenge of retrieving heavy weapons that the Americans have been demanding from guerrillas for weeks.
"Maybe there are some, more than 30 kicked underground and the others escaped. I didn't see anyone and I have no information on anyone," said Latif as he left a dusty makeshift meeting area.
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