ADDING TO OUR ARSENAL

The ubiquitous Iraqi rumor mill.

Troops are discouraged from correcting the local legend that a nightly alarm from the U.S. military base in the city means U.S. soldiers have their guns trained on all moving targets. And Iraqis will just have to keep guessing whether air-conditioned uniforms are the real reason American soldiers keep their cool on 12-hour shifts.

But soldiers are doing all they can to make sure the real version of Hussein's capture hits the streets -- mostly the real version anyway. When doubtful residents question why their former president looked so disoriented in images of his arrest, troops sometimes say it's because of newfangled electrical weapons that temporarily stun the victim.

''Yes, it's science fiction. Yes, it's a little bit of an elaboration, a tiny lie,'' said Vincent, a public affairs officer for the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade. ``But Iraqis love the rumors and the gossip. It's going to get out one way or another.''