The $1.3 million cash prize awarded to Hussein was immediately seized by U.S. officials

Hussein awarded Nobel Peace Prize for not possessing weapons of mass destruction

Given annually to a figure whose humanitarian efforts stand out among the international community, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Hussein after weapons inspectors failed to locate a single weapon of mass destruction following Iraq's invasion by U.S.-led coalition forces eight months ago.

"Recently acquired evidence suggesting that Saddam Hussein has spent the past few years resolutely abstaining from the production of weapons of mass destruction made him an obvious choice to receive this year's Peace Prize," a press release from the Nobel Committee said. "Mister Hussein's refusal to amass these weapons should act as an inspiration to other Middle East leaders."

The Nobel Committee's decision to honor Hussein marked the first time the Peace Prize has been awarded to a maniacal dictator of unspeakable cruelty since Palestinian leader and terrorist chieftain Yasser Arafat won in 1994.

Though Hussein could not be reached for comment following the announcement - and has in fact remained in hiding since his regime was removed from power following the toppling of Baghdad in March - a spokesperson for the 65-year-old said at a press conference that Hussein expressed great joy upon hearing news of his award.

"It brings Mister Hussein great pleasure to accept this award on behalf of all evil dictators of the world who do not possess weapons of mass destruction but get attacked for it anyway," said the spokesperson, Amir Ahanbi.

"Mister Hussein would also like to take this opportunity to remind his people that he is prepared to award bounties to any Iraqi citizen who kills a member of the occupying forces," added Ahanbi before his microphone suddenly cut out.

Nobel Committee member Gale Heinrich confirmed that the cash prize of $1.3 million awarded to Hussein was immediately seized by American officials.

November 2003