Cigars, hair dye for Saddam’s last days

BAGHDAD: The US military bought Cuban cigars and hair dye for deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein while he was held before his execution because they were "mission essential’’, a military investigation heard.

The investigation of Lieutenant-Colonel William Steele, former commander of the detention centre where Saddam and his aides were held, also heard clothing and dry-cleaning were provided to detainees before court appearances after one detainee came in court in pyjamas.

The evidence came to light during investigations into whether Steele failed to fulfil his obligations as a Field Ordering Officer, or ‘‘FOO’’, who can authorise the purchase of goods not available within the military.

Steven Mickelberg, a special agent with a military procurement fraud unit, said he had asked Steele about expenses at Camp Cropper, the detention facility near Baghdad’s international airport, that had been used to buy Cuban cigars.

‘‘He said they were for high-value detainee number one, which he indicated was Saddam Hussein, and that this purchase was authorised and that whatever he wanted, he got,’’ Michelberg told the hearing.

Captain Phillip Reiman, whose job was to make sure all ‘‘FOO’’ money at the camp was used properly, confirmed cigars were bought because they were considered "mission essential’’.