Iraq witnesses diplomatic and political changes

The French Top Urgent news bulletin said on Monday that Iraq is witnessing vast diplomatic and political changes prompted by the sons of Saddam Hussein, Odai and Qussey.

The bulletin added that among those who are said to be leaving their positions is Iraq's permanent representative at the UN headquarters in New York Nizar Hamdoun, who will leave his post in November to be replaced by Riyadh al-Qeisi.

The French news bulletin added that at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Barazan al-Takriti was replaced by Khaled Hussein, noting that the decision reflects the volume of conflict in the ruling regime in Baghdad. The Bulletin explained that Geneva is considered one of the most attractive posts and a place for competition among the regime's various factions due to its position in the heart of legal or illegal Iraqi financial operations.

The bulletin said that Khaled Hussein was the former personal secretary for Odai Saddam Hussein when the latter was chairman of the Iraqi Olympic committee. The bulletin noted rumors coming from several sources that say Barazan may not return to Iraq at the end of his term of office, adding that he may stay in Switzerland to continue his activities.

The bulletin stated that it is clear that the authority and very role of Hussein's sons has been intensified at the expense of the role played by the Baath Party.

The bulletin cited as evidence of that in the appointment of Ziad Michael Aflaq as the Iraqi ambassador to UNESCO in Paris.