Iraq television shows Saddam leading command meeting

AFP ^ | 10/27/2003 | AFP

[Smogger]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) chaired a meeting of top military aides and government ministers, state television reported.

The meeting was attended by Saddam's son Qussay, who heads the elite Republican Guard, as well as Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan and Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, it said.

Defense Minister Sultan Hashim, Information Minister Mohamad Said al-Sahhaf, Trade Minister Mohamad Mehdi Saleh and interim Oil Minister Amer Rashid were also shown sitting around the table.

The broadcast showed Saddam wearing an army sweater over military fatigues but gave no details on the meeting.

Saddam was last shown in public when he appeared on Monday on state television while meeting an official of the ruling Baath party, hours after appearing on the channel to read a speech vowing that "victory is near."

The broadcasts have indicated that Saddam is still alive amid initial rumours that he had been killed or seriously injured in the first bombing raids on Baghdad last Thursday.

[Smogger]

Doesn't really say if he mentions current events. I am trying to get the Iraqi TV webcast, but so far no luck. I have no idea if he is dead alive or wounded (nor does the coalition), but I suspect he is still alive. I don't really see them being able to mass troops for counter-attacks if he was dead.

Don't get all "the CIA and Bush know he's dead but want to keep him alive to prosocute the war" kooky on me or I'll puke.

[Howlin]

FYI.

[Spruce]

Saddam Hussein is still dead.

[ken5050]

The report doesn't say that the meeting was called to discuss Iraq's Y2K readiness.......

[Sabertooth]

I heard Elvis on the radio laast week, so he must be alive, too.

[ken5050]

It's NOYT a double..it's Mde Toussaud's...

[Semper Paratus]

This should be the time for Sadaam to give "The Enemy is at the Gates" speech.

[bedolido]

why don't they have him logging into democraticunderground for advise. That would prove to people he was still ali--- wait... no it'd just prove he was stupid.

[shadowman99]

I thought we took Iraq State TV off the air yesterday. Why are we allowing them to broadcast again?

[DouglasKC]

Here's my theory for what it's worth. Remember a couple of nights ago when we supposedly got Iraqi TV knocked off the air via a couple of cruise missles? Didn't it seem they got it back up awful fast?

What I think happened is that we're transmitting now. Right now we've got stuff on that looks like regular Iraqi TV, but when it comes time we're going to play mind games and show stuff that slowly becomes more and more favorable to the US until eventually we broadcast that Sadaam has died or something like that.

[rudypoot]

Monty Python's "dead parrot" skit comes to mind...

[Rammer]

The calendar on the wall of that meeting said, "September 1994".

[Desecrated]

Bush and the CIA have consistently said THEY DON'T KNOW. And neither do we. Probably 50/50 dead or alive. He has yet to make an appearance mentioning current events and until I see that, I think he is dead or badly wounded.

[Mo1]

Are you serious?

[smiley]

That guy looks like he spent a "Weekend at Bernies"

[LPStar]

Yes, all he has to do is mention who won the Oscars. We haven't yet heard Saddam doing this.

[Dog]

Tape looks to be spliced.....jumps around an awful lot. Shot in black and white not color. I notice a few people missing from the usual crowd of Saddam groupies...

Redheaded Saddam lackey is missing from the footage..... so is one of the sons..Uday....and Chemical Ali..

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I am trying to get the Iraqi TV webcast, but so far no luck.

LOL...the chance of that working is about as good as the chance of the Cubs winning the World Series pal.

[CaptainK]

A lovely thought. If only it were true.

[Dog]

Are you serious??

No joke??