Seraphim
09-01-2003, 09:02 AM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030901/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_saddam_tape&cid=540&ncid=716
BAGHDAD, Iraq - In an audio recording played on television, a voice said to be that of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) denies involvement in the bombing of a mosque in the holy Shiite Muslim city of Najaf.
The Qatar-based satellite broadcaster Al-Jazeera broke into programming with the announcer saying it was about to play a purported Saddam tape in which he denied his involvement in the Friday attack that killed at least 125 people, including revered Shiite cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim.
"Maybe many of you have heard the hiss of the snakes, the servants of the occupiers, how they accused us without any evidence of killing of al-Hakim," the voice said.
It was not possible immediately determine if the tape was authentic. Al-Jazeera did not broadcast the tape in its entirety.
U.S. officials have not said who they suspect in the attack. Iraqi police say the 19 suspects arrested so far may have links to al-Qaida.
Many in Najaf have laid blame for the bombing with Saddam loyalists, while Iraqi police have said the 19 suspects they have in custody may have al-Qaida links.
The voice said Saddam was the leader of all Iraqi people, suggesting he would not launch an attack on any particular ethnic or religious group — Shiites included.
"Saddam Hussein is not the leader of a minority or a group within a group. He is the leader of the great Iraqi people," the voice said.
During his rule, Saddam drew most of his support from Sunni Muslims, a minority that oppressed the Shiite majority for decades.
The last audiotape purportedly from Saddam was broadcast Aug. 1. On that tape, the speaker said the former leader would "at any moment" defeat the American occupation forces and return to power.
That tape also said looters of government property should not worry about retribution from Saddam and instead should join the guerrilla war and become "a loaded rifle in the face of the invading foreigner."
Quoting the Quran, the voice said:
"Ye believers, if a corrupt person brought you news, check it well before accusing arbitrarily. Otherwise, you will regret your accusation."
BAGHDAD, Iraq - In an audio recording played on television, a voice said to be that of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) denies involvement in the bombing of a mosque in the holy Shiite Muslim city of Najaf.
The Qatar-based satellite broadcaster Al-Jazeera broke into programming with the announcer saying it was about to play a purported Saddam tape in which he denied his involvement in the Friday attack that killed at least 125 people, including revered Shiite cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim.
"Maybe many of you have heard the hiss of the snakes, the servants of the occupiers, how they accused us without any evidence of killing of al-Hakim," the voice said.
It was not possible immediately determine if the tape was authentic. Al-Jazeera did not broadcast the tape in its entirety.
U.S. officials have not said who they suspect in the attack. Iraqi police say the 19 suspects arrested so far may have links to al-Qaida.
Many in Najaf have laid blame for the bombing with Saddam loyalists, while Iraqi police have said the 19 suspects they have in custody may have al-Qaida links.
The voice said Saddam was the leader of all Iraqi people, suggesting he would not launch an attack on any particular ethnic or religious group — Shiites included.
"Saddam Hussein is not the leader of a minority or a group within a group. He is the leader of the great Iraqi people," the voice said.
During his rule, Saddam drew most of his support from Sunni Muslims, a minority that oppressed the Shiite majority for decades.
The last audiotape purportedly from Saddam was broadcast Aug. 1. On that tape, the speaker said the former leader would "at any moment" defeat the American occupation forces and return to power.
That tape also said looters of government property should not worry about retribution from Saddam and instead should join the guerrilla war and become "a loaded rifle in the face of the invading foreigner."
Quoting the Quran, the voice said:
"Ye believers, if a corrupt person brought you news, check it well before accusing arbitrarily. Otherwise, you will regret your accusation."