Saddam's palace still tells a story

3-22-09
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090323/FOREIGN/849546822/1135/NEWS

It sits atop a man-made hill overlooking the ancient city of Babylon. In its prime – with its swimming pool, Roman-inspired columns, chandeliers and bathrooms complete with jacuzzis – it was a testament to the gluttony of the Baathist regime.

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Mr Kadhim, who works for the local government, said plans were under way to redevelop the site and turn it into a conference centre.

He said it could, if security improved, even draw people from abroad for conferences. With its proximity to the ancient city of Babylon, luring archaeological buffs is another possibility.

“They have a plan … and they [the government] are giving us the money to renovate.”

Mr Kadhim estimates that to get the palace back to its former glory would cost about seven billion Iraqi dinar (Dh22 million).