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Iraq Warns U.S. Invaders

Aired March 19, 2003 - 14:15   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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Baghdad today almost eerily quiet, save for the threats and proclamations from the government.
CNN's Nic Robertson filed an update from the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Closed shops and emptying streets, the sign Baghdad residents now fully expect war. This shopping district, until a few days ago, bustling with busy shoppers. Now most of the city's five million residents, it seems, are at home or have fled the capital. Government officials giving no sign the leadership is about to buckle to U.S. demands.

MUHAMMED SAEED SAHAF, IRAQI INFORMATION MINISTER: They are deceiving their soldiers and their officers that aggression against Iraq and invading Iraq will be like a picnic. Well, this is a very stupid lie they are telling their soldiers. What they are facing is a definite death.

ROBERTSON: At a hastily called extraordinary session of Iraq's National Assembly, the sentiment just as defiant.

SAADOON HAMMADI, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER (through translator): we are ready for all the sacrifices required for the legitimate defense of our land and principles, and the fate of this aggression which they talk before will be the same as before in history, and history will show their failure, disappointment and will be a curse on them.

ROBERTSON: As it has so many times in the past, the assembly sent a letter of solidarity to President Saddam Hussein. For most here now, the waiting seems to be over. The already visible signs of increasing security, an indication of how the war will begin. Hard to tell at this time how it will end, or what the new political landscape may look like.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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 March 19, 2003 - 14:15   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Baghdad today almost eerily quiet, save for the threats and proclamations from the government.
CNN's Nic Robertson filed an update from the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Closed shops and emptying streets, the sign Baghdad residents now fully expect war. This shopping district, until a few days ago, bustling with busy shoppers. Now most of the city's five million residents, it seems, are at home or have fled the capital. Government officials giving no sign the leadership is about to buckle to U.S. demands.

MUHAMMED SAEED SAHAF, IRAQI INFORMATION MINISTER: They are deceiving their soldiers and their officers that aggression against Iraq and invading Iraq will be like a picnic. Well, this is a very stupid lie they are telling their soldiers. What they are facing is a definite death.

ROBERTSON: At a hastily called extraordinary session of Iraq's National Assembly, the sentiment just as defiant.

SAADOON HAMMADI, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER (through translator): we are ready for all the sacrifices required for the legitimate defense of our land and principles, and the fate of this aggression which they talk before will be the same as before in history, and history will show their failure, disappointment and will be a curse on them.

ROBERTSON: As it has so many times in the past, the assembly sent a letter of solidarity to President Saddam Hussein. For most here now, the waiting seems to be over. The already visible signs of increasing security, an indication of how the war will begin. Hard to tell at this time how it will end, or what the new political landscape may look like.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com