Saddam’s palaces on the tourist trail

Saddam Hussein’s palaces are reportedly going to be opened up to tourists, who can see for themselves how “huge sums of money were wasted” by the former dictator. The Sky News website quotes the interim construction and housing minister as saying that some of the buildings will be used to house visiting VIPs, while others would be open to the public. He reportedly said: “This way visitors will be able to see for themselves how huge amounts of money were wasted to build Saddams’s 70 palaces on large plots of public land.” He said that the cash needed to build just one of the palaces would have been enough to house 50,000 Iraqi families. He added: “From 1980 to the fall of the former regime on 9 April 2003, not one single housing unit was built.” However, it still may be some time before western travellers have the chance to see Saddam’s palaces; the Foreign and Commonwealth is still advising against all but the most essential travel to the country. The website, at www.fco.gov.uk/travel, warns: “The security situation in Iraq remains dangerous. Terrorists are actively targeting British, international and other interests in Iraq. Targets include hotels where UK and other nationals may stay, as well as civilian aircraft. The threat to British nationals remains high.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad