Kesher Talk

Saddam: 'US-Zionist Plotting' To Grow 'Fiercer': FBIS offers this translation of an official Iraqi television broadcast (from Baghdad Republic of Iraq Television in Arabic 1700 GMT 25 Jun 02):

Mujahid leader President Saddam Husayn, may God watch over him, has chaired the 29th session of the Council of Ministers. The council discussed the overall political situation. In the course of this discussion, the president said: The US-Zionist plotting against you will grow fiercer, because the Americans and the Zionists can see no action by anyone and can see that you are firm, organized, and progressing under the siege. They can see that there is no problem for which you cannot find a solution, and that you do not defer anything which you believe could improve your living standards until after the siege is lifted.

The Arab masses are more conscious than their governments, but they face continued shocks and attempts to tame them into accepting weakness. You can, therefore, see that the Arab masses are facing huge obstacles placed by their governments. Your responsibility has grown bigger because your duty is no longer to defend your will and cause, but also to protect the Arabs from becoming weak and make them believe that they can play an influential role when they want. The Americans and Jews will therefore not leave you alone, because they do not want to see the return of an Arab model, and youare a model now.

Although we are still students when it comes to reading history and are seeking to preserve the heritage of our great forefathers, there is no one like you who can reject humiliation and progress in such an integrated manner. Although we have not so far reached the full picture, your enemy is seeing what kind of hope you can spread in the hearts. The enemy believes that this nation should be deprived of any opportunity for a long time and that it is you who are confronting this strategy. This is a big burden placed on your shoulders now, which is, at the same time, a big honor.

The council looked into issues listed on its agenda and made the necessary decisions and recommendations. [passage omitted on domestic issues discussed] [Video shows Saddam in civilian clothes conferring with ministers]

posted by Howard @ 6/26/2002 01:56:37 PM