Didi: since you are in a happy mood, here is one to add to your smile:
BAGHDAD (Reuters) June 22, 2000 - Scientists suspect that there is life in Mars. Several countries are racing to be the first to land a person on that planet. One of them is Iraq which has just finished building a space shuttle.
Saddam Hussein are interviewing prospestive astronauts to go to Mars. The three finalists a Russian, an Iraqi and a Chinese.
First, the Russian asks payments of a million dollars to be deposited in Citibank New York. He reasons that just in case he does not come back, his wife and family will be taken care of. Saddam says that it is a lot of money, but he'll get back to the Russian.
Next is the Iraqi. He says: "Mr Hussein, I am a patriotic citizen of Iraq, and I am sure that the space ship is of good quality. But just in case it develops some problem, I like my family to be taken care of. So, I like half a million dollars and ....".
Saddam quickly interrupted "Bless you my son. You are a good citizen." The Iraqi hastily responded: "Mr Hussein, you forget that I am a Moslem, so that I have four wives, so I need two million dollars to be deposited into the Bank of Baghdad". Saddam was somewhat disappointed, but he promised to consider.
The last one was the Chinese man who asked for three million dollars. Saddam was so furious: "That is outrageous, I can get others with less money. Get out of here!!"
The Chinese walked out, but before he closed the door, he said: "Mr. President, the first million will be deposited in a secret Swiss bank account under your name". Saddam eyes opened wide: "Come back here".
"The second million will be for me to be deposited in a Cayman Bank".
Saddam said "That is fair, one million for me and one million for you. How about the third million?"
Replied the Chinese "Please deposit that in Citibank, New York. I am going to send that Russian to Mars." |
