Saddam's plates found in U.S., returned to Iraq

NEW YORK - Authorities in New York City say the United States is giving the Iraqi government stolen dinnerware once used by Saddam Hussein.

Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that stolen china that belonged to King Faisal II also was turned over to Iraqi diplomats.

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U.S. authorities had learned in November that the items had been smuggled into the country and sold on eBay to an art group in New York City.

The group had been using some of the plates in an art exhibit. It agreed to voluntarily turn over the items to the U.S. government to be returned to Iraq.

The Iraq dictator was captured by U.S. forces in 2003 and executed in 2006.