Posted on 02/25/2003 1:41:56 PM PST by HAL9000
Saddam Expects War Soon
(CBS) In an exclusive interview with CBS News Anchor Dan Rather, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein indicated he feels an invasion aimed at unseating him will come soon.
Speaking to an American journalist for the first time in about a decade, Saddam also denied his Al Samoud 2 missiles were illegal and challenged President Bush to debate the need for war.
The wide-ranging three-hour interview covered Saddam's feelings on his own people, the American public, Osama bin Laden, and what his own fate might be.
Saddam made it clear that he takes the threat of war seriously and considers himself prepared, Rather reports. While not treating military conflict as inevitable, the Iraqi leader certainly expects it.
Portions of the interview were to air Tuesday on The Early Show but transmission was delayed when Iraqi authorities decided to edit the tapes from three cameras into one composite tape. Portions of the interview will air on Tuesday's CBS Evening News, Wednesday's The Early Show, and on a special edition of 60 Minutes II on Wednesday night at 9 pm EST, 8 pm CT.
Taped the day the United States, Britain and Spain introduced a new U.N. resolution that paves the way for war by accusing Iraq of failing its obligations to disarm, Saddam spoke at length on the key issue of the Al Samoud 2 missiles.
The Al Samoud 2 is at the heart of this week's dispute with the U.N. weapons inspectors. Chief inspector Hans Blix told Iraq it has until the end of the week to begin destroying the missiles, which he claims violate the 93-mile range limit imposed on Iraq at the end of the 1991 Persian Gulf war.
If Iraq fails to destroy the missiles, that could give impetus to the new draft Security Council resolution, which the U.S. feels provides authority for war.
Saddam's response: "We do not have missiles that go beyond the proscribed range." He thereby strongly indicated Iraq would resist efforts to begin the destruction of the missiles.
Saddam also challenged the president of the United States to join him in a live radio and television satellite linkup and debate the need for war before the entire world.
"I am ready," said the Iraqi president, "to conduct a direct dialogue with your president. I will say what I want and he will say what he wants."
"This will be an opportunity for him, if he's committed to war, this will be an opportunity to convince the world."
Iraqi officials have repeatedly noted the size and strength of the anti-war demonstrations that occurred ten days ago. They are certain they have an audience for the proposed debate.
"This is something proposed in earnest," Saddam said, "out of my respect for the people of the United States and my respect for the people of Iraq and the people of the world. I call for this because war is not a joke."
"As leaders," the Iraqi president said to his American counterpart, "why don't we use this opportunity?"
The White House clearly regards the debate offer as a ridiculous stalling attempt by Saddam. Spokesman Ari Fleischer told CBS News Correspondent Mark Knoller that it's "not a serious statement."
"This is not about a debate," Fleischer said. "This is about disarmament and complying with the world's instructions that Iraq disarm."
As for Saddam's denial of possession weapons of mass destruction, Fleischer said Saddam "is not facing reality on the issue of the Al Samoud missiles, why would his other statements have creditability?"
Note: The interview was taped by Iraqi TV crews, as is standard practice for Hussein, and the Iraqis delivered a tape that combined all three cameras into one composite feed. However, as far as we can determine, the content of the interview is intact. The Iraqis assured us beforehand that there would be no censorship whatsoever of the interview, which ran for almost three hours, and they have apparently lived up to that assurance. We will continue to check the transcript against our own notes, and if that changes, we will of course let you know.
©MMIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Michael
Surely Rather doesn't mind. More than likely he's flattered by it.
Saddam Hussein: In His Own Words
Quotes from Saddam and Iraq 's regime-controlled media
October 18, 2002
For years, Saddam Hussein and his regime have used state-controlled media in Iraq to spread lies, and threaten his neighbors and the world. Below is a sampling of quotes from Saddam and the Iraqi media -- keyed to significant events -- showing a pattern of threats stretching back more than a decade.
The Gulf War, February 1991
"We will chase [Americans] to every corner at all times. No high tower of steel will protect them against the fire of truth."
Saddam Hussein, Baghdad Radio, February 8, 1991
"[ America ] will not be excluded from the operations and explosions of the Arab and Muslim mujahidin and all the honest strugglers in the world."
Iraq News Agency, January 30, 1991
(State-controlled)
"What remains for Bush and his accomplices in crime is to understand that they are personally responsible for their crime. The Iraqi people will pursue them for this crime, even if they leave office and disappear into oblivion. There is no doubt they will understand what we mean if they know what revenge means to the Arabs."
Baghdad Radio, February 6, 1991
(State-controlled)
"Every Iraqi child, woman, and old man knows how to take revenge...They will avenge the pure blood that has been shed no matter how long it takes.
Baghdad Domestic Service, February 15, 1991
(State-controlled)
Iraq Masses Troops Against Kuwait , October 1994
"Does [ America ] realize the meaning of every Iraqi becoming a missile that can cross to countries and cities?" Saddam Hussein, September 29, 1994
"[W]hen peoples reach the verge of collective death, they will be able to spread death to all..." Al-Jumhuriyah, October 4, 1994
(State-controlled newspaper)
"[O] ur striking arm will reach [ America , Britain and Saudi Arabia ] before they know what hit them."
Al-Qadisiyah, October 6, 1994
(State-controlled newspaper)
"One chemical weapon fired in a moment of despair could cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands."
Al-Quds al-Arabi, October 12, 1994
(State-controlled newspaper)
Release of UNSCOM Report, April 10, 1995
"Although Iraq 's options are limited, they exist... Iraq 's present state is that of a wounded tiger. Its blow could be painful, even if it is the last blow..."
Al-Quds Al-'Arabi, June 9, 1995
(State-controlled newspaper)
Khobar Towers Bombing, June 25, 1996
"[The U.S. ] should send more coffins to Saudi Arabia , because no one can guess what the future has in store."
Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Radio, June 27, 1996
Operation Desert Fox, December 1998
"If [other Arab nations] persist on pursuing their wrongful path, then we should -- or rather we must -- place the swords of jihad on their necks..."
Saddam Hussein, January 5, 1999
"Oh sons of Arabs and the Arab Gulf , rebel against the foreigner...Take revenge for your dignity, holy places, security, interests and exalted values."
Saddam Hussein, January 5, 1999
"[Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti] blood will light torches, grow aromatic plants, and water the tree of freedom, resistance and victory."
Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Radio, January 26, 1999
"Whoever continues to be involved in a despicable aggressive war against the people of Iraq as a subservient party must realize that this aggressive act has a dear price."
Saddam Hussein, February 16, 1999
"What is required now is to deal strong blows to U.S. and British interests. These blows should be strong enough to make them feel that their interests are indeed threatened not only by words but also in deeds."
Al-Qadisiyah, February 27, 1999
(State-controlled newspaper)
U.S.S. Cole Bombing, October 12, 2000
"[Iraqis] should intensify struggle and jihad in all fields and by all means..."
Iraq TV, October 22, 2000
(State-controlled)
The Attacks of September 11
"The United States reaps the thorns its rulers have planted in the world."
Saddam Hussein, September 12, 2001
"The real perpetrators [of September 11] are within the collapsed buildings."
Alif-Ba, September 11, 2002
(State-controlled newspaper)
"[September 11 was] God's punishment."
Al-Iktisadi, September 11, 2002
(State-controlled newspaper)
"If the attacks of September 11 cost the lives of 3,000 civilians, how much will the size of losses in 50 states within 100 cities if it were attacked in the same way in which New York and Washington were? What would happen if hundreds of planes attacked American cities?"
Al-Rafidayn, September 11, 2002
(State-controlled newspaper)
"The simple truth [about September 11] is that America burned itself and now tries to burn the world."
Alif-Ba, September 11, 2002
(State-controlled magazine)
"[I]t is possible to turn to biological attack, where a small can, not bigger than the size of a hand, can be used to release viruses that affect everything..."
Babil, September 20, 2001
(State-controlled newspaper)
"The United States must get a taste of its own poison..."
Babil, October 8, 2001
Oh Shhhiiiiiiii........
Will the Iraqis edit down the tapes from that proposed conversation too before it will be released for global consumption?
"Editing can alter the original meaning and context, and computers can alter the image itself. The camera can also be manipulated. At the very least, it must be turned in one direction -- only one direction at a time ... Who chooses what direction to point the camera, and why?"
Dan Rather in a 7/8/98 speech (The Hollywood Reporter link was no longer active though (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/inwords/speeches/DanRathe.asp)).
So what we'll wind up with is an interview that's filtered by CBS and Saddamizer. Should be an interesting piece of propaganda.
I wonder if he posed with his arm around Saddam as he did with Fidel
Oh wait, Saddam would not tolerate that kind of openess, but really he's an honest guy.
Well, then, Saddam, COME ON OVER!. We'll make sure there are PLENTY of security people at the airport when you arrive.
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