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| Friday, 21 March 2003 |
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Saddam defies "Little Bush" in TV address BAGHDAD, Thursday (Reuters)-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appeared on state television on Thursday, three hours after the United States launched a war to overthrow him, and thundered defiance at President George W. Bush. "The criminal little Bush has committed a crime against humanity," he said, wearing military uniform and a black beret. He read from a prepared text, wearing heavy black-framed spectacles, something he rarely does in public. Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf introduced the broadcast, saying a jihad, or holy war, had begun. "We pledge to you in our name and in the name of our leadership and in the name of the Iraqi people and its heroic army, in the name of Iraq, its civilisation and history, that we will fight the invaders," Saddam told the Iraqi people. "God willing, we will take them to the limit where they lose their patience and any hope to achieve what they have planned and what the Zionist criminals have pushed them to do. "They will be defeated," he said. Saddam wore uniform for the second time this week, a contrast to his more usual civilian suits. Addressing those of Washington's allies who have spoken out against war Saddam said: "Now that you have seen how the reckless Bush belittled your positions and views against the war and your calls for peace, he has committed his ugly crime." He concluded his seven-minute speech with the Islamic rallying cry "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest): |
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