Going After Saddam.(editor Abdel Bari Atwan comments on United States plan to invade Iraq, depose Saddam Hussein)(Brief Article)(Interview)

Abdel Bari Atwan, editor of the London-based daily Al Quds al-Arabi, is one of the best-connected Arab journalists covering global events. Among his reporting coups: the first interview with Osama bin Laden after the infamous Saudi moved to Afghanistan in 1996. Atwan is also a close observer of Saddam Hussein. More than 20 years ago Atwan broke a story about a videotape of the Iraqi dictator's ordering suspected traitors from his inner circle executed on the spot. The next day, says Atwan, he was called by an Iraqi official who told him he had to run a correction. Atwan defended his account of summary killings; he'd seen the tape. "That's not the problem," said the Iraqi official. "The problem is you said these people were executed because they betrayed Saddam. You should have said they were executed because they were thinking of betraying Saddam." The story is a neat illustration of the reign of terror that has kept the Iraqi dictator in power since the 1970s. But now, it would seem, his term is coming to an end. Atwan spoke recently with NEWSWEEK's Christopher Dickey about what that's likely to mean. Excerpts:

DICKEY: Is the United States going to get rid of Saddam Hussein?

ATWAN: I think it is inevitable.

For their own benefit, wouldn't it make sense for the Iraqi people to replace Saddam themselves?

The Iraqis are facing the same dilemma as all other Arab peoples with their leaders. Many would like to get rid of their leaders. But we don't have peaceful transition in the Arab world; we have only two things: a change of power by military coup or by natural death. When it comes to military coups, the armies are completely under the control of the ruling families. And natural death is not a guarantee that the regime will be changed, because now presidents are installing their sons in their places.

Some people in the Bush administration are saying that if the United States succeeds in replacing Saddam, Iraq could become a beacon of democracy for the region.

I don't believe the Americans are fond of democracy when it comes to the Middle East. Name one American ally in the Arab world who encourages democracy, or has some sort of credible election. I don't believe the Americans are changing the regime in Baghdad for the sake of the Iraqi people. No. They are doing it for the sake of American interests, and domestic politics.