‘I’m president of Iraq and I’m willing to negotiate’

“I’M Saddam Hussein” the man with the scruffy beard said in English when American troops found him in a dirt hole. “I’m the president of Iraq and I’m willing to negotiate.”

"President Bush sends his regards," they replied.

Major Brian Reed, operations officer for the first brigade of the Fourth Infantry Division, recounted the story for reporters yesterday at the site where Saddam was found.