Iraq's President Saddam Hussein accused the United States of commiting a "shameful crime" by attacking Iraq, urging his people in a nationally televised address Thursday morning to defend the country and "go draw your sword" against the enemy.
About three hours after U.S. cruise missiles hit targets in and around Baghdad, Saddam appeared on television, wearing a military uniform and vowing that "Iraq will be victorious" against the U.S.-led campaign.
"We promise you that Iraq, its leadership and its people will stand up to the evil invaders, and we will take them to such limits that they will lose their patience in achieveing their plans, which are pushed by criminal Zionism," he said.
"They will face a bitter defeat, God willing," he said. "You will be able to achieve glory and your despicable infidel enemies will be dfeated."
"This is added to the series of their shameful crime against Iraq and humanity," Saddam said, describing the U.S. president as 'little, evil Bush."
"Draw your sword and be not afraid," he urged the Iraqi people, before ending the speech by chanting, "Allahu akbar", and saying, "Long live jihad and long live Palestine."
Mohammed Saeed Sahhaf, the information minister, also on Iraq radio, called on Iraqi people to be steadfast and described this day as a "an eternal day in history and that Allah honored the Iraqis with this test." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
