President Clinton visits Saddam Hussein to talk about the UNSCOM inspections
in Iraq. As he sits down he sees three buttons in the armrest of Saddam’s chair.
When Saddam sits down, Clinton immediately asks, “Why the three buttons in the
armrest?” “You’ll see,” says Saddam. After 10 minutes, Saddam presses the first
button and WHACK, a boxing glove hits Clinton in the face. Clinton grabs his
nose while Saddam just laughs. Clinton manages to remain calm until, after
another 10 minutes, Saddam presses the second button, and another boxing glove
hits Clinton in the stomach. While Clinton’s gasping for air, Saddam falls out
of his chair from laughing. Clinton is highly annoyed by now, but remains
outwardly calm. After another 5 minutes, Saddam presses the third button, and
from under the table another boxing glove hits Clinton, this time right in the
crotch. Clinton is really fed up by it now and breaks off the talks. “We’ll
continue this next week in the White House,” says the President. Saddam has
tears in his eyes from laughing, and can only nod in agreement.
As agreed, Clinton receives Saddam in the Oval office a week later, and as
Saddam sits down, he sees three buttons in the armrest of Clinton’s chair. As
the meeting goes on, Saddam sees Clinton press the first button and immediately
ducks, but nothing happens. This doesn’t stop Clinton from laughing … really
loud. Clinton continues where he left off, and after a few minutes presses the
second button. Saddam again reacts instinctively, and this time it’s Clinton who
falls out of his chair laughing. Saddam is totally bewildered, and wonders what
the hell is happening. But no harm has come to him, so he retakes his seat and
the talks continue.
After a few more minutes, Clinton presses the third button. This time, Saddam
doesn’t even flinch, but stays in his chair as though nothing unusual is taking
place. Clinton, however, is rolling on the floor, doubled over from laughter.
Saddam is not only bewildered-now he is angry. He springs to his feet and
shouts, “I’ve had enough of this, and I�m going back to Baghdad!” Through tears
of laughter, Clinton says, “Baghdad? … … What Baghdad????