The task of the United States demonizing Saddam Hussein was facilitated by many factors, both real and imaginary; a mixture of true facts and public relations image making. On the fact side, Saddam Hussein was indeed a dictator, and responsible for some true atrocities. Hussein ruled with an iron fist. Most accounts of political analysts looking at Iraq agree that his rein was one characterized by fear of the state. In her book, The Outlaw State, Elaine Sciolino describes Hussein as "a man who used a combination of terror and reward to break the spirit of his people."" Through the use of secret police, the Baath Party and the army, Saddam controlled every aspect of Iraqi life. As one American reporter quoted as driving through Iraq, "From the Saddam International Airport, heading down the Saddam Freeway, past Saddam City and the Saddam Water Purification Plant, we sped by Saddam institutes, Saddam housing estates, Saddam boys' clubs, Saddam sports arenas, Saddam hospitals, Saddam cafes, and, of course, dozens of Saddam billboards, statues, mosaic walls, and monster outdoor portraits."" Any opposition to his political views was irraticated. For example, membership in the opposition party ShiaDawa was punishable by death. One of its leaders, IyatollahBaqr al-Sadr, was executed, along with members of his family, by orders from Saddam Hussein. There is significant evidence indicating that Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran during their 8-year war, which is condemned universally by the international community. Hussein is quoted as saying in an interview with Spanish television, "America used nuclear weapons against Japan. Israel possesses nuclear weapons- you and the whole world know about this. Iraq, therefore, has the right to possess the weapons that its enemy has. America moreover, used chemical weapons against the people of Vietnam. The USSR also used chemical weapons against the people of Afghanistan.
