Why would they want me, asked Saddam's scientist

The most amusing thing about the surrender of Amer Hammoudi al-Saadi to American forces here was that apparently he only discovered he was a wanted man yesterday, through a television report.

It is typical of Saddam Hussein's chief scientific adviser that his reaction on being told he was one of the regime's top 55 suspects that Washington would like to get their hands on, was to say "What, me?".

Such is the disingenuous persona he has cultivated. During the long weeks of Hans Blix's weapons inspections, I had asked Gen Saadi what would happen to him if the Americans won the war and he fell into their hands. "Why me?" he asked, with a smile. "I am only a scientist, a technocrat. I am not a military person."

There is little doubt that if anyone knows about Iraq's alleged arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, it is Gen Saadi. There is also little doubt that he will strike a hard bargain over any information he imparts.

It was not surprising that Gen Saadi remained in Baghdad. A month ago he told me: "I will not be going anywhere. I am an Iraqi and I will stay here." This was no false bravado. He did not seem the type who might feel at home in Syria, or in Belarus.

Gen Saadi almost made press conferences in Baghdad worth going to. Unlike his colleagues, the urbane London University graduate and holder of a PhD did not turn every speech into a rant. His answers to reporters were considered, if not always believable. His unofficial face – on the surface – appeared relaxed and friendly, though he was guarded about innocuous matters. He would not say which college he had attended in London, or admit his wife was German.

In November last year, the day that Mr Blix returned to Baghdad to re-start inspections, Gen Saadi took him and his officials to dinner at a smart restaurant. A senior UN official later complained that Gen Saadi had said little beyond expressing amazement at Mr Blix's demands.

It will be interesting to see whether his negotiating skills work with the Americans. If they do, we may see Gen Saadi back in Europe, pursuing his career in chemistry. Stranger things have happened.