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CNN Live At Daybreak
Iraqis Getting New Look at Saddam the Prisoner
Aired December 18, 2003 - 05:01 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Iraqis are getting a new look at Saddam, the prisoner.
Our Satinder Bindra joins us live from Baghdad with more on this -- tell us more, Satinder.
SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Carol.
This morning an Iraqi newspaper owned by a member on the Governing Council, Ahmad Chalabi, ran a front page picture of Saddam Hussein, the prisoner.
Let me show you this picture. And as you can see, Ahmad Chalabi is seen here talking to Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein is shaven in this picture. Also notice his hair. It's cropped. And he's wearing the traditional dishdashah, the Arab dress.
Now, we understand, Carol, this meeting took place between Saddam Hussein and four members of the Governing Council. Ahmad Chalabi was one of those who attended.
Let me also tell you what's happening on the streets here in Baghdad this morning. Many, many people are flocking to newsstands to get a copy of this newspaper. At several newsstands, this newspaper has sold out and the newsstand owners are keeping the last copy as a personal souvenir. In other newsstands, this newspaper is selling at way above its registered price. What I'm saying is there's a black market in this newspaper this morning. Traditionally, this newspaper sells for about $0.15 U.S. Today it's selling for about $0.30 -- back to you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Oh, wow. A little more about the picture. Ahmad Chalabi was thrown out of the country by Saddam Hussein, wasn't he?
BINDRA: That's right. He has been living as an exile for several years now. Ahmad Chalabi, as I mentioned, did attend this meeting. There were three others. And all of them report that Ambus (ph), that Saddam Hussein was quite unrepentant and he also used some abusive language during the course of this meeting. He was asked why he invaded Kuwait and he said his position was Kuwait was a part of Iraq -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Interesting. I know you'll have more for us in the coming hours on DAYBREAK.
Satinder Bindra reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
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 December 18, 2003 - 05:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Iraqis are getting a new look at Saddam, the prisoner.
Our Satinder Bindra joins us live from Baghdad with more on this -- tell us more, Satinder.
SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Carol.
This morning an Iraqi newspaper owned by a member on the Governing Council, Ahmad Chalabi, ran a front page picture of Saddam Hussein, the prisoner.
Let me show you this picture. And as you can see, Ahmad Chalabi is seen here talking to Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein is shaven in this picture. Also notice his hair. It's cropped. And he's wearing the traditional dishdashah, the Arab dress.
Now, we understand, Carol, this meeting took place between Saddam Hussein and four members of the Governing Council. Ahmad Chalabi was one of those who attended.
Let me also tell you what's happening on the streets here in Baghdad this morning. Many, many people are flocking to newsstands to get a copy of this newspaper. At several newsstands, this newspaper has sold out and the newsstand owners are keeping the last copy as a personal souvenir. In other newsstands, this newspaper is selling at way above its registered price. What I'm saying is there's a black market in this newspaper this morning. Traditionally, this newspaper sells for about $0.15 U.S. Today it's selling for about $0.30 -- back to you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Oh, wow. A little more about the picture. Ahmad Chalabi was thrown out of the country by Saddam Hussein, wasn't he?
BINDRA: That's right. He has been living as an exile for several years now. Ahmad Chalabi, as I mentioned, did attend this meeting. There were three others. And all of them report that Ambus (ph), that Saddam Hussein was quite unrepentant and he also used some abusive language during the course of this meeting. He was asked why he invaded Kuwait and he said his position was Kuwait was a part of Iraq -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Interesting. I know you'll have more for us in the coming hours on DAYBREAK.
Satinder Bindra reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
