Hussein Hiding and Plotting, Say Former Generals

BAGHDAD — Former Iraqi generals who have returned from exile say Saddam Hussein is hiding in Iraq with a small group, probably including his sons, and issuing orders to trusted supporters as he plots a return to power.

The generals, who were in exile for years and are now playing a key role in working with U.S. forces to purge the Iraqi public service and security apparatus of Hussein die-hards, said the deposed president had ordered a name-change for his Baath Party.

Maj. Gen. Tawfik Yassiri said Hussein had changed its name in the last few days to Auda, which means “return.”

Maj. Gen. Saad Obeidi, a psychological warfare specialist now working with U.S. forces, said Hussein’s success would depend on how the U.S.-installed administration runs Iraq.

“Time has always been the backbone of Saddam’s strategy. He is a man who knows the psychology and sociology of Iraq. The looting and disorder we see now fall in his favor,” Obeidi said.