Oust Saddam

Coalition forces have begun striking targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein’s ability to wage war. These are opening stages of a broad and concerted campaign.

More than 35 countries are giving crucial support to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every supporting nation has chosen to bear the duty and share the honour of serving in our defence.

To all the men and women of the US armed forces now in West Asia, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. The enemies you confront will know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honourable and decent spirit of the US military.

In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality. Saddam has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use civilians as shields for his own military; a final atrocity against his people.

I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. A campaign on the terrain of a nation as large as California could be longer and difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment.

We respect Iraqi citizens for their great civilisation and for the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore its control to its people.

Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly, yet our purpose is sure. The people of US and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder. We will meet that threat now with all our might, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of firefighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities.

Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures and we will accept no outcome but victory.

The dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others. we will prevail. May God bless our country and all who defend her.

Criminal Bush

Associated Press

Baghdad, March 20: Here is the text of Saddam Hussein’s speech after US attacks began: ‘‘In 1424 of 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 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 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 and with you the sons of your nation. By God’s will you will be victorious and your enemies will be ashamed and dishonoured, God willing.

Unsheathe your sword without fear, and let Saturn bear witness, unsheathe your sword, the enemy is smouldering, no one can (intrigue) him but a prudent hero, saddle the horses and unleash them, for in their wedding there is hope, let lightening echo at the night of fire, so that truth appears and injustice is defeated, shine in darkness as it turns deeper, whereas the frail and the weak, spark your lighter and keep the fire glowing, draw your sword and make it gleam, make the banner fly on each pole, pray to God, the wound will heal.

Oh brave men, opposers of evil in the world. You have noticed how the reckless Bush made light of your opinion against war and your call for peace and committed his terrible crime today.

I pledge to you that Iraq will carry out jihad with the army in the Iraq of civilisation, history and belief; we will fight the invaders and drive them, God willing, to…lose their patience and their way…

They will suffer the defeat that every jealous faithful and lover of humanity. Iraq will be victorious and our nation and humanity will be victorious and evil will be hit to the extent that it will no longer be able to carry out crimes committed against nations and peoples, mainly our glorious Arab nation.

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar. Long live Iraq and Palestine. Long live our nation…and right of people to live freely on the basis of Justice. Long live jihad. Long live Palestine.’’