The news that a lot of the Iraqi leadership fled to Syria is way past the "DEBKAfile" stage now.

From a Rumsfeld interview on "Meet the Press:"

Q: And you warned the Syrians about harboring members of Saddam's regime. Can you confirm that members of Saddam's regime fled to Syria?



Rumsfeld: Oh, there's no question but that they did -- absolutely.

Q: Including --

Rumsfeld: Some left and went to Syria and stayed, and some have left Iraq,
gone to Syria and transitted to other countries.

Q: Dr. Germ and Mrs. Anthrax were reported to have fled to Syria. Do you have any information on that?

Rumsfeld: Nothing that I want to discuss about individuals.