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Iraq To Repel Invasion With
All Available Weapons
By Hassan Hafidh
10-7-2


BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has warned the United States that his country is ready to resist any invasion with all available weapons.
 
"With whatever weapons we have in our hands, and after depending on God with faith, and because we are on the course of righteousness, we are able to confront any aggressor, from wherever he comes ...," Baghdad Monday newspapers quoted Saddam as saying.
 
The newspapers said Saddam made his comments during a meeting Sunday with top military commanders and his two sons, Uday and Qusay, called to discuss how to repel a possible U.S. attack on Iraq.
 
The United States and Britain, accusing Baghdad of acquiring or trying to acquire nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, are seeking U.N. Security Council support for the threat of military action unless Iraq cooperates fully with U.N. weapons inspectors.
 
Baghdad says it has no such weapons and no intention of acquiring them. It agreed, under great U.S. pressure, to allow the return of weapons inspectors after a four-year absence, but the conditions under which they will work remain to be settled.
 
The Baghdad press quoted Iraq's Air Defense Commander as reporting to Saddam at Sunday's meeting that his troops "enjoy high morale and have made technical preparations to confront the evil aggressors' planes."
 
The commander said his men "will remain for ever the president's loyal soldiers and knights in defense of Iraq until final victory is achieved."
 
Saddam said Iraqis would fight an attack even if it cost them their lives. "Any one should die as a martyr to defend his belongings, his honor and homeland."
 
His remarks were the strongest since Bush earlier this year made "regime change" in Baghdad a priority. Bush is due to outline his case against Saddam in a prime-time speech later on Monday.
 
Saddam said he was "fully pleased to bear responsibility in leading Iraq in the present confrontation" with Washington.
 
"To God, and only God, shall we bow down and not to the greedy foreigner, no matter how technically powerful and arrogant he may be," Saddam said, in a clear reference to the United States though he did not name it.
 
"Because we are good faithful worshippers of God...the fight would be decided in favor of the believers so long as they are victims of aggression."
 
Saddam said Iraq's enemies crossed the oceans to "attack us and deprive us of our dear goals without which we would be slaves with no identity, no honor and no wealth..." But Iraq will not bow down in the face of "threats and aggression," he said.
 
Copyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.





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