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CNN Live Today
New Saddam Tape?
Aired July 17, 2003 - 10:00 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: First, though, this hour, a newly- released audiotape said to be from ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The 15-minute tape aired this morning in the Arab world. It contains references to recent events, suggesting it may be new. But whether it is or even indeed authentic is a question we will have to leave to the experts.
Let's go now to the Iraqi capital and CNN's Rym Brahimi -- Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, indeed, very interesting timing for the release of this audiotape that is, as you mentioned, purported to be in the voice of Saddam Hussein, but, again, no way of verifying that for the time being.
Basically, the main point is nothing very new, the same rhetoric, saying that this occupation of Iraq was organized by the U.S., Britain and Israel in order to divide Iraq, but also basically saying that, again, that these weapons of mass destruction allegations were all false, probably capitalizing on the fact that right now President Bush and Prime Minister Blair of Britain are coming increasingly under fire because questions are being raised as to whether or not those allegations justified the war. And then, of course, calling on Iraqi people to fight. Finally calling the new governing council that was established here in Iraq on Sunday to make decisions on behalf of the Iraqi people, saying, well, that is like a puppet government.
The timing, again, very interesting, because it comes on the 35th anniversary -- there's just gunfire erupting right now, quite a bit of it actually. I just wanted to signal that. But this is the 35th anniversary of the arrival to power of the Baath Party 35 years ago, again -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Well, Rym, yes, we can hear the gunfire. We can hear the pops in the background. Is that a common sound these days around Baghdad? Or is that a cause for concern?
BRAHIMI: You know, Daryn, it was very common when we first arrived after the fall of Baghdad back in the month of May. But recently, the past week that I've been back to Baghdad, I've only heard that much gunfire in the evening or late at night. But this is actually a little more than expected. So, we hope we'll be able to bring you what that was all about.
And as you know, Daryn, there were a lot of fears among U.S. troops, a lot of security fears, and it's causing U.S. troops to basically beef up security, increase the number of soldiers in certain areas of the capital, mainly the convention center in Baghdad where the coalition authority meets on a regular basis. So, a lot of concern, a lot of tension on this day -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, I'll tell you what, we're going to cut you loose, let you go see how much you can find out about that gunfire, and we'll bring you back later in the morning. Rym Brahimi reporting live for us from Baghdad -- thank you, Rym.
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 July 17, 2003 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: First, though, this hour, a newly- released audiotape said to be from ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The 15-minute tape aired this morning in the Arab world. It contains references to recent events, suggesting it may be new. But whether it is or even indeed authentic is a question we will have to leave to the experts.
Let's go now to the Iraqi capital and CNN's Rym Brahimi -- Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, indeed, very interesting timing for the release of this audiotape that is, as you mentioned, purported to be in the voice of Saddam Hussein, but, again, no way of verifying that for the time being.
Basically, the main point is nothing very new, the same rhetoric, saying that this occupation of Iraq was organized by the U.S., Britain and Israel in order to divide Iraq, but also basically saying that, again, that these weapons of mass destruction allegations were all false, probably capitalizing on the fact that right now President Bush and Prime Minister Blair of Britain are coming increasingly under fire because questions are being raised as to whether or not those allegations justified the war. And then, of course, calling on Iraqi people to fight. Finally calling the new governing council that was established here in Iraq on Sunday to make decisions on behalf of the Iraqi people, saying, well, that is like a puppet government.
The timing, again, very interesting, because it comes on the 35th anniversary -- there's just gunfire erupting right now, quite a bit of it actually. I just wanted to signal that. But this is the 35th anniversary of the arrival to power of the Baath Party 35 years ago, again -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Well, Rym, yes, we can hear the gunfire. We can hear the pops in the background. Is that a common sound these days around Baghdad? Or is that a cause for concern?
BRAHIMI: You know, Daryn, it was very common when we first arrived after the fall of Baghdad back in the month of May. But recently, the past week that I've been back to Baghdad, I've only heard that much gunfire in the evening or late at night. But this is actually a little more than expected. So, we hope we'll be able to bring you what that was all about.
And as you know, Daryn, there were a lot of fears among U.S. troops, a lot of security fears, and it's causing U.S. troops to basically beef up security, increase the number of soldiers in certain areas of the capital, mainly the convention center in Baghdad where the coalition authority meets on a regular basis. So, a lot of concern, a lot of tension on this day -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, I'll tell you what, we're going to cut you loose, let you go see how much you can find out about that gunfire, and we'll bring you back later in the morning. Rym Brahimi reporting live for us from Baghdad -- thank you, Rym.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
