Events in Iraq boost Rumsfeld

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At his Christmas Party on Saturday night, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld had a secret.

His regional commander, Gen. John Abizaid, had told him that afternoon that he was convinced his troops had captured Saddam Hussein. But Mr. Rumsfeld was not totally convinced. He had announced the death of Ali Hassan al Majid, the notorious "Chemical Ali," during the war, only to find out that he was still alive.

Besides, he and President Bush had decided the announcement, if confirmed, would come out of Baghdad, not Washington.

So, with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John W. Warner and other lawmakers in his home, Mr. Rumsfeld decided to stay mum.

On Sunday morning, before the announcement, Mr. Rumsfeld's office began to telephone senior members of Congress to let them know of the capture.

Yesterday, Mr. Rumsfeld telephoned Mr. Warner, Virginia Republican, to explain why he had kept the senators in the dark. The two have not always seen eye to eye on defense issues. But on this occasion, Mr. Warner expressed understanding.

In addition to eyewitness identification, the piece of evidence that finally convinced Mr. Rumsfeld was the money: Why would a Saddam double be hiding with nearly $1 million in cash?

The capture promises to restore Mr. Rumsfeld's status as the ultimate wartime leader, after months of being pummeled by the Washington press corps.