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Posted on 04/11/2003 5:05:38 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Hussein's 66th birthday? Party is probably over
Elaborate celebrations in past marked 'glorious birth of the Arab hero'
04/11/2003
Saddam Hussein's upcoming birthday party is likely to be yet another casualty of the war.
The Iraqi president's 66th birthday is April 28. And back in December, the Iraqi newspaper Al-Thawra announced the mother of all parties:
"The high committee for the festivities of the blessed anniversary has begun preparations to celebrate the glorious birth of the Arab hero, the president and leader, the victorious by the power of Allah, Saddam Hussein, may God preserve him."
It's a day to celebrate, the paper said, "by all Iraqis, Arabs and all people of honor throughout the world."
But even as that grand announcement went out, U.S. military leaders were planning to move the first 100,000 troops to the Persian Gulf area. Pentagon chiefs expected Mr. Hussein to be unseated before he could blow out any birthday candles.
Plans for Mr. Hussein's 66th birthday came as no surprise: Festivities for his 65th lasted for four days.
More than 50,000 people attended a street party last year organized by the ruling Baath Party in the northern city of Mosul. London's Daily Telegraph reported that boys dressed as suicide bombers and girls brandishing cardboard swords were part of "a massive anti-U.S. parade." In Tikrit, Mr. Hussein's hometown, a monumental golden horse stood at the center of a lavish display for a crowd of 100,000.
The year before, only 3,500 guests were invited, to a more formal affair that included deputies of the Russian parliament.
Highlights from earlier years:
In 2000, the celebration included a cake that was almost 10 feet tall and the unveiling of plans for a new city, Saddamiyyat al-Thartar, northwest of Baghdad.
In 1999, Mr. Hussein opened a beachside resort decorated with pictures depicting his life, including an image of him as King Nebuchadnezzar, riding a chariot and shooting down the weapons of his enemies. The Great Dam on a tributary of the Tigris River was opened at 5 p.m., the hour of his birth.
In 1998, a mosque named for him was dedicated in Samarra, and hundreds of cakes were baked for street parties.
In 1997, Shebab television, run by Mr. Hussein's son Uday, renamed itself "Birthday Television" for the weeklong festivities. Iraqi television showed the president sharing cake in Baghdad with schoolchildren brought in from the provinces.
In 1996, the president rode through the streets of Baghdad in a golden carriage.
In 1995, Mr. Hussein laid the cornerstone for the Saddam Grand Mosque. "Happy birthday to our beloved Saddam," Iraqi children sang. "You are the crown of our dignity and honor."
Hmm? Possibly Saddam has celebrated his LAST birthday already?
If he doesn't show his face, perhaps a wake is more appropriate this year?
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
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Sounds like a Clinton Administration position...
Guess who's crashing the Party?
hehehe !! Yeah, I love it !
Bush & Company.
Saddam the Great Satan
P.O. Box 666
Hades
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