By Associated Press
March 20, 2003, 4:38 AM EST
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Here is the text, as translated from Arabic by The
Associated Press, of Saddam Hussein's televised speech after U.S.
attacks began Thursday.
"In 1424 of the Hijra (Muslim) calendar, the reckless criminal little
Bush and his accomplices committed his crime, with which he had
threatened Iraq and humanity.
"He carried out his criminal act -- with those who cooperated with him
-- and has added with his accomplices to the series of shameless
crimes against Iraq and humanity a beginning of additional crimes.
"Oh Iraqis and brave men in our nation. For your sake, the sake of our
glorious nation, the sake of the banners of jihad and its (national)
religion, precious values, family and children.
"I don't want to repeat what should be and what must be done to defend
the dear nation and everything that is sacred but I will say:
"Each one of us in the family of the faithful, patient, oppressed Iraq
by its evil enemies must remember and not forget that these days will
add to earning you the glory you deserve before God.
"May the infidels, the enemies of God and humanity be shamed.
"You will be victorious, Oh Iraqis, and with you the sons of your
nation. By God's will you will be victorious and your enemies will be
ashamed and dishonored, God willing.
"Oh brave men, opposers of evil in the world. You have noticed how the
reckless Bush made light of your positions and opinions against the
war and your honest call for peace and committed his terrible crime
today.
"I pledge to you, in the name of the Iraqi leadership and the Iraqi
people that Iraq will carry out jihad with the heroic army in the Iraq
of civilization, history and belief; we will fight the invaders and
drive them, God willing, to...lose their patience and lose their way
... .
"They _who have carried on with their crimes and evil acts -- will
suffer the defeat that every jealous faithful and lover of
humanity ... wishes for them.
"Iraq will be victorious, and with Iraq, our nation and humanity will
be victorious and the evil will be hit to the extent that it will no
longer be able to carry out crimes and will be hit by what the
American-Zionist criminal alliance committed against nations and
peoples, mainly our glorious Arab nation.
"Allahu Akbarm Allahu Akbar (God is great). Long live Iraq and
Palestine. Long live our glorious nation and the lovers of peace,
security and the right of people to live freely on the basis of
justice. Long live jihad. long live Palestine."
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