Even evil dictators need to get away?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 2:15 pm
Found on Tail of the Dragon:
Now, I have no idea of the veracity of this story, but I got a little chuckle about the oil spot under the bike. And if it is true, the whole ... romanticism? ... of Saddam making a "great escape", well, just like it says - only Steve McQueen!
Reprinted without permission from http://www.tailofthedragon.com/Saddam's Norton ??
We found this on the Internet (so of course it's true !!) and found it interesting.
A private contractor working with the Iraqi Police came upon a police controlled warehouse where they have Saddam's Norton and several Goldwings that Uday was fond of. As legend goes, the Norton was used by Saddam to escape to Syria in 1959 after he tried to overthrow the Iraqi government and failed. Once he came back into power, he put the bike into the Baghdad Military Museum.
When "W" attacked in 2003, Saddam's mechanic went around and stole the motorcycles and was later caught, now they sit in this dusty room.
Fact or Fiction? FACT - THE GREAT ESCAPE... on December 19th, Saddam testified how he looked for his motorcycle to flee from the clutches of US forces minutes before they surrounded and captured him. Hoping to emerge out of the tunnel unnoticed, Saddam had initially planned to make a "great escape, riding a motorcycle," when he realized that the vehicle was not there and he was betrayed.
Sorry Saddam, only Steve McQueen can play the part !!
Now, I have no idea of the veracity of this story, but I got a little chuckle about the oil spot under the bike. And if it is true, the whole ... romanticism? ... of Saddam making a "great escape", well, just like it says - only Steve McQueen!