Iraqi Foreign Minister: American Soldiers Captured in Iraq to Be Burnt or Beheaded

Rosbalt News Agency ^

[joshalex]

Rosbalt, 18/03/2003, 13:03

Iraqi Foreign Minister: American Soldiers Captured in Iraq to Be Burnt or Beheaded

BAGHDAD, March 18. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has no intention of carrying out the demands made by US President George Bush in his recent ultimatum. As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, this was announced by Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri at a press conference in Baghdad today.

He said that the Iraqi people 'elected Mr Hussein as their leader' and they will lead a fierce struggle against the aggressors under his command. The Iraqi foreign minister added that a horrific death awaits any Americans captured on Iraqi territory. 'They will be burnt or beheaded,' said Mr Sabri.

US President George Bush made an ultimatum to Mr Hussein, giving him and his sons 48 hours to leave the country. If these demands are not carried out, the American army will attack Iraq. The deadline of the ultimatum is Wednesday evening.

[ClearCase_guy]

I don't know for sure, but I think "whiff of the grape" probably refers to grapeshot. Also known as cannister, it was ordance for cannons. Nasty, short-range stuff that turned an ordinary cannon into a giant shotgun. Used on naval vessels as well as on land, for when the enemy is trying to overrun your position.

[ChadsDad]

Where are the protests?

[mhking]

You can be tried too, Mr. Foreign Minister....

T-minus 34 hours, 40 minutes...

...and counting...

[a_Turk]

So what's the big deal.. Anyone ever seen the crispied body of one burnt by dropping ordnance? Or the shredded remains? Comes with the territory..

Turkish phrases:

I put my head under my arm and ...

or

I hooked my ghost to my tooth and ...

This is soo scary, it's actually a deterrent /sarc

[1Old Pro]

I'LL BE THE FIRST TO SAY IT, THIS GUY IS TOAST.

[The Wizard]

let me share something with you:

1st, this is crap, 2nd if they are that stupid, they will see hell

[RummyChick]

We have him admitting he won't follow the geneva convention...and UN still wants to leave him in power to develop his wmds


what rubbish

[CatoRenasci]

Wogs? The wogs begin, as I'm sure Ivan would agree, at Calais.

Indeed. Bloody frog wogs don't even speak English!

[VOA]

Iraqi Foreign Minister: American Soldiers Captured in Iraq to Be Burnt or Beheaded

Sorry Iraqi Foreign Minister...
that sort of threat didn't save the bacon of the more savage of the American Indians...

The difference is that the current Iraqi "strong men" will be lucky because they'll
either get a bullet or nice jail quarters for the duration of their life
(or until legitimate execution).

[cynicom]

Anger overwhelms me and words fail me.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, anything to say? Or are you just hitting and running?

[Jim Noble]

Arabs always talk big and bad, but then they flee like terrified French schoolgirls when you really go after them. We've learned this with al Qaida

Good against the helpless-that's one thing.

But look what's coming, you sorry Saddamites:

[Chad Fairbanks]

that sort of threat didn't save the bacon of the more savage of the American Indians...

Heh... I have plenty of bacon, so neener...

;0)

[AnAmericanMother]

The famous "whiff of grape" was bestowed by the Emperor-to-be Napoleon Bonaparte (who started his military career as an artilleryman) upon a pro-royalist mob in October 1795. He basically cleared the streets by firing cannons loaded with grapeshot down the major avenues. He was acting on behalf of the Directory at the time, but of course (as Talleyrand said in Kipling's short story) "by the time you present your order, only one signature will be necessary."

[CatoRenasci]

I think the original use of the phrase, if not the original certainly the most famous, was Napoleon's use of artillery to calm the Paris mob during the Thermidorian reaction.

As another poster described it, grape shot (usually described as a 'stand of grape' because it consisted of a wooden sabot, an iron center rod and iron or lead balls (an inch or two in diameter)packed around the rod, encased in either cloth or netting.) was a primarily naval weapon, although it was also used on land. Grape rounds would be made for mostly heavier guns, 18lb, 24lb, 36lb, and even 42lb carronades. The primary antipersonnel round of the smoothbore era was cannister, a very thin metal or paper mache cylinder filled with small .40 caliber or so usually lead balls, fired primarily from field guns, 6lb, 12lb, 3" ordnance rifles and 20lb parrot guns. Cannister was fired at ranges under 600 years, best under 200. At ranges under 200 yards, double cannister and (at Gettysburg) even triple charges of cannister were used. Highly effective against massed infantry or cavalry.

[areafiftyone]

Welcome to Free Republic. Do you know if this News Source is credible?

[joshalex]

I am outraged by this Iraqi threat and think we should commence the war now! I posted this to show the true heart and soul of the Iraqi leadership.

[aristeides]

Is Iraq a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, does anybody know?

[aristeides]

He said that the Iraqi people 'elected Mr Hussein as their leader'

I don't think this guy would call Saddam "Mr. Hussein." The short form of Saddam's name I believe is "Saddam". Hussein was the name of Saddam's father, and the "Hussein" in "Saddam Hussein" in that position means "son of Hussein".