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Recent Audio Tape of Saddam's Voice
Aired May 07, 2003 - 15:01 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.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: As The United States continues to fine- tune its strategy for rebuilding Iraq, a new audiotape has surfaced in Baghdad -- featuring a recording said to have been made this week and said to be the voice of Saddam Hussein.
For more on what the recording says and the questions about its authenticity, let's go to Baghdad and to CNN's Nic Robertson.
Nic, what are you learning?
NIC ROBERTSTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Judy, most of the people we're talking to here who have tried to analyze this recording say it does sound like Saddam Hussein and it does use his language.
It does appear to have been recorded recently. It refers to his birthday on the 28th of April, where he says he got a lot of support around the country. That wasn't what we saw. It also refers to the looting of Iraq's National Museum.
Both of those things have happened since U.S. troops took control of Baghdad. So perhaps it is a recent recording.
He calls on the Iraqi people to resist what he calls the "occupation." He calls on them to shoot at American troops, not to do business with foreigners. Indeed he says anyone doing business with a foreigner is a traitor, and he calls on people to write slogans on the wall against The United States troops inside Iraq. And, according to the tape, it says Saddam Hussein, he himself, is still inside Iraq.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SADDAM HUSSEIN (through translator): Through the secret means, I'm talking to you from inside great Iraq, and I say to you the main task for you, Arab and Kurd, Shi'ite and Sunni, Muslim and Christian, and the whole Iraqi of all religions -- your main task is to keep the enemy out from our country.
(END AUDIO TAPE)
ROBERTSON: Now people that we've talked to here say they don't really mind whether or not it is Saddam Hussein. They are not interested in this message. They say that they are not going to fight against The United States.
They say that, at the moment, The United States is providing security so they will not follow this particular call to arms. The message, however, and the fact that it has been delivered, does raise concerns here for many people that Saddam Hussein is still at large, and that his members of his Ba'ath party are still at large.
Many people here continue to tell us they won't feel comfortable until Saddam Hussein has been brought into captivity or has been killed -- Judy.
WOODRUFF: All right. Nic Robertson reporting for us from Baghdad on this Wednesday night. Nic, thank you very much.
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 May 7, 2003 - 15:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: As The United States continues to fine- tune its strategy for rebuilding Iraq, a new audiotape has surfaced in Baghdad -- featuring a recording said to have been made this week and said to be the voice of Saddam Hussein.
For more on what the recording says and the questions about its authenticity, let's go to Baghdad and to CNN's Nic Robertson.
Nic, what are you learning?
NIC ROBERTSTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Judy, most of the people we're talking to here who have tried to analyze this recording say it does sound like Saddam Hussein and it does use his language.
It does appear to have been recorded recently. It refers to his birthday on the 28th of April, where he says he got a lot of support around the country. That wasn't what we saw. It also refers to the looting of Iraq's National Museum.
Both of those things have happened since U.S. troops took control of Baghdad. So perhaps it is a recent recording.
He calls on the Iraqi people to resist what he calls the "occupation." He calls on them to shoot at American troops, not to do business with foreigners. Indeed he says anyone doing business with a foreigner is a traitor, and he calls on people to write slogans on the wall against The United States troops inside Iraq. And, according to the tape, it says Saddam Hussein, he himself, is still inside Iraq.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SADDAM HUSSEIN (through translator): Through the secret means, I'm talking to you from inside great Iraq, and I say to you the main task for you, Arab and Kurd, Shi'ite and Sunni, Muslim and Christian, and the whole Iraqi of all religions -- your main task is to keep the enemy out from our country.
(END AUDIO TAPE)
ROBERTSON: Now people that we've talked to here say they don't really mind whether or not it is Saddam Hussein. They are not interested in this message. They say that they are not going to fight against The United States.
They say that, at the moment, The United States is providing security so they will not follow this particular call to arms. The message, however, and the fact that it has been delivered, does raise concerns here for many people that Saddam Hussein is still at large, and that his members of his Ba'ath party are still at large.
Many people here continue to tell us they won't feel comfortable until Saddam Hussein has been brought into captivity or has been killed -- Judy.
WOODRUFF: All right. Nic Robertson reporting for us from Baghdad on this Wednesday night. Nic, thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
