Posted on 04/02/2003 4:51:17 PM PST by saquin
A public TV station in New York shows some nightly news programs from other countries. They show the nightly news from France (the logo says "20 Heures: TV5 Edition Speciale - Irak") every evening at 7pm (with English subtitles). A few times they have had an interview with the Iraqi Deputy Information Minister Oudai al-Taie live on satellite from Baghdad. I found tonight's interview very interesting. The interview was said to have taken place today, 4/2/03. The French news announcer was questioning the Iraqi Deputy Info. Minister about Saddam's whereabouts and health. Here's an exact transcript of the English translation (I taped the program):
French TV news guy: "Why didn't Saddam Hussein appear on TV last night?"
Iraqi Deputy Info. Minister: "Everybody has seen the president going about his usual duties."
Frenchie: "But he hasn't been seen for several days now. Many speculate he is not well."
Iraqi: "The day before yesterday the president met with his cabinet and this meeting was broadcast on television."
Frenchie: "But nobody knows when this footage was filmed. Why doesn't he just prove he is alive?"
Iraqi: "He's very much alive. He still has a place in our hearts."
Frenchie: "You think this is the case, or do you have proof?"
Iraqi: "It's not a question of needing proof. I said what I said."
Frenchie: "And what about his close entourage? His sons, for example? How is his oldest son?"
Iraqi: "Such questions are pointless. We are in a state of war. We are fighting for our dignity and to defend our country. Planes are flying over Baghdad at this very moment. Bombs are falling on residential districts. Two massacres took place today..."
...the Iraqi Info. guy continues to ramble in this way about "massacres", bombs, etc. completely avoiding the question about Saddam and his sons.
What are everyone's thoughts about this? I found the comment "He still has a place in our hearts" very intriguing.
If this Iraq was an america, then I'd know for a fact Saddam is dead. But the translation might skew the meaning. Still - I think he's dead.
He might as well have said, "May he rest in peace."
FRANCE's CREDIBILITY AND HONOR
He's not dead, he's sleeping!
Saddam we hardly knew ye.
no, no, he's pining for the fiords!
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