Iraqi state television today broadcast an address it claimed was by Saddam Hussein, who denounced the US attack on his country and pledged victory over an ”insane” George Bush.
He called on his people to join a holy war to defend their country from the ”disgraceful crimes” of the US military assault on Iraq. President Saddam told his country: ”We are all for Jihad.”
He called on Iraqis and their supporters to take up arms to ”defend the dear country”.
”The sword: take the sword without any fear,” he said. ”Take out the sword – let them be witness to that. Take out the sword on the enemies against you.”
The televised statement came three hours after the first allied strikes on Baghdad had targeted the Iraqi president and several of his leaders.
Addressing the Iraqi people, President Saddam insisted he would be victorious in war. He told the Iraqi people: ”Prepare yourselves to defeat the enemy, an everlasting defeat that they will never forget.”
In a speech that lasted just under five minutes, President Saddam said: ”I pledge … that we will resist the invaders. And, God willing, we will make them lose patience and they will never achieve their goals.
There was no proof that the address was by the Iraqi dictator, or one of his many doubles. It was not known whether the recording was made before 3.15am GMT, when war was announced by the US president, George Bush.
However, the first rocket attacks on Baghdad this morning were believed to have been targeted at Saddam himself and several of his leaders.
The Iraqi leader made no reference to the attack, but showed characteristic flourish in claiming the moral upper hand in the conflict.
Denouncing President Bush as ”insane”, he appeared to shift his focus to the world community as he said: ”As you have witnessed, the insane Bush did not care about your calls for peace.
”I pledge that we will resist the invaders,” he said, ”make them lose patience and never achieve their goals, goals designed by Zionists. Criminal acts will be met with absolute defiance. ”
In a clear sign that he aimed to link the attack on his country with the Israeli-Palestinian confict, his closing words were: ”Long live Iraq. Long live Palestine.” – Guardian Unlimited Â