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CNN Live Today
Comical Ali Says He Unknowingly Gave False Reports
Aired June 27, 2003 - 10:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS: Well, Saddam Hussein's information minister, who disappeared on the day Baghdad fell, has resurfaced. He tells two Arabic news networks that he was questioned and released by U.S. forces and has no insight into the status of missing Iraqi leaders.
Mohammad Saeed Al-Sahaf, as you may remember, drew laughs for his misinformed assessments of the U.S.-led siege on Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMMAD SAEED AL-SAHAF, FORMER IRAQI INFORMATION MINISTER (through translator): We kicked them out, we pulverized them, defeated them in the outside of the airport, the more open area in Abu Grair (ph). And we surrounded them in Abu Grair (ph).
These pictures are not the outskirts of Baghdad. I repeat, these pictures have nothing to do with the city of Baghdad. These are far from Baghdad, at least 30, 40 kilometers away from Baghdad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Sahaf is unapologetic for the denials that became so ludicrous that he was actually dubbed Comical Ali. He says he was unknowingly reporting false reports that were fed to him.
AL-SAHAF (through translator): I knew exactly there were a few tanks and the military source were saying that there was an infiltration, but yes, it was under control.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): From where did you get the information? The defense minister who usually gives the statements?
AL-SAHAF (through translator): Not necessarily. Every country has got its own procedures. The information was accurate, but maybe the interpretation was inaccurate. The interpretation was that this was under control. And this is the main -- this is not the main war front. The situation is under control.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Looks a little bit different, doesn't he? As you can see, Sahaf has changed his looks since falling out of the public eye. Sahaf, by the way, is not on the list of 55 top Iraqi leaders being sought by the United States.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 27, 2003 - 10:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS: Well, Saddam Hussein's information minister, who disappeared on the day Baghdad fell, has resurfaced. He tells two Arabic news networks that he was questioned and released by U.S. forces and has no insight into the status of missing Iraqi leaders.
Mohammad Saeed Al-Sahaf, as you may remember, drew laughs for his misinformed assessments of the U.S.-led siege on Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMMAD SAEED AL-SAHAF, FORMER IRAQI INFORMATION MINISTER (through translator): We kicked them out, we pulverized them, defeated them in the outside of the airport, the more open area in Abu Grair (ph). And we surrounded them in Abu Grair (ph).
These pictures are not the outskirts of Baghdad. I repeat, these pictures have nothing to do with the city of Baghdad. These are far from Baghdad, at least 30, 40 kilometers away from Baghdad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Sahaf is unapologetic for the denials that became so ludicrous that he was actually dubbed Comical Ali. He says he was unknowingly reporting false reports that were fed to him.
AL-SAHAF (through translator): I knew exactly there were a few tanks and the military source were saying that there was an infiltration, but yes, it was under control.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): From where did you get the information? The defense minister who usually gives the statements?
AL-SAHAF (through translator): Not necessarily. Every country has got its own procedures. The information was accurate, but maybe the interpretation was inaccurate. The interpretation was that this was under control. And this is the main -- this is not the main war front. The situation is under control.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Looks a little bit different, doesn't he? As you can see, Sahaf has changed his looks since falling out of the public eye. Sahaf, by the way, is not on the list of 55 top Iraqi leaders being sought by the United States.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
