Stories from the cockpit with a dictator

Julian Leembruggen

27Oct06

ALI Al-Wahabi, who now calls Collaroy Plateau home, was working his dream job as an airline pilot in the 1980s.

The only problem was his main passenger, none other than the ex-Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Mr Al-Wahabi, who now flies for a major international airline, reveals insights of his career and eventual escape from Iraq in a new self-written and published book, Farewell Brave Babylon offering intimate details of Saddam's Iraq.

The book describes how Mr Al-Wahabi was forced to take on the role of presidential pilot against his instincts. It also recalls meetings with Saddam and anecdotes involving a whole cast of ruthless former Baath Party strongmen, including Saddam's sons Uday and Qusay and the infamous ``Chemical'' Ali.

Eventually fleeing from his homeland in 1986, Mr Al-Wahabi arrived in Europe and began a career as a commercial airline pilot, eventually travelling to Australia with his wife and young children in 2000.

Speaking to The Manly Daily from South Korea yesterday, Mr Al-Wahabi gave a personal account of a meeting with Saddam.

``Saddam, his sons, everyone in charge oozed with intimidation,'' he said.

``For three or four seconds when I first saw him his face was transformed into something else.

``We had been bombarded with his portraits and statues but I could see an aged man, of centuries, so to speak.

``That went away quickly but I knew he was just an ordinary person.

``Twenty years later I saw that very same face when he was dug out of his hole and captured.''

While at first celebrating Saddam's overthrow Mr Al-Wahabi watched with horror as his homeland descended into violence. However he insists US forces should remain until security can be established.

Farewell Brave Babylon can be bought through www. babylonpublishing.com or by sending an e-mail to ali@babylonpublishing.com