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Interview with Abdul Khadir Qadoura

Aired September 04, 2002 - 14:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Iraq's president Saddam Hussein said today his people want to avoid a showdown with the United States, but will fight bravery if attacked.
Mr. Hussein hosted a meeting of the Arab Parliamentary Union in Baghdad, and one of those attending was Abdul Khadir Qadoura, speaker of Syria's national assembly. He joins us live from Baghdad.

We appreciate you joining us, sir.

ABDUL KHADIR QADOURA, SPEAKER, SYRIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: Yes.

PHILLIPS: OK. I think he -- I hope you can hear me all right, Mr. Qadoura. I want to talk to you about you speaking with Saddam Hussein today. How serious does he perceive the threat of a U.S. attack on Iraq?

QADOURA: I think he said that they looking for justice and fair solution, but if they will have the attack, they will fight with the Iraqi people to defend their country.

PHILLIPS: Sir, previously, Arab countries did see Mr. Hussein as a threat. They know he has access to chemical weapons, and they know that he has used them on the Kurdish people. Do Arab leaders now believe Hussein is no longer a threat?

QADOURA: I didn't understand that question. Could you please repeat it?

PHILLIPS: Do Arab leaders -- absolutely. Do Arab leaders believe Saddam Hussein is a threat?

QADOURA: No. We are in Baghdad today to support Iraq's people and to give them that the Arab people are with them.

PHILLIPS: Sir, our concern with Saddam Hussein is that he has chemical weapons, and that he will use chemical weapons against the United States and other countries. Do you, sir, believe that he will use chemical weapons against us?

QADOURA: I don't believe that he have chemical weapons, and if he didn't have chemical weapons, how he can use it?

PHILLIPS: Abdul Khadir Qadoura, speaker of the Syrian national assembly. Sir, we appreciate your time.

We apologize for the delay there. It is tough getting solid communication to Baghdad.

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