Iraqi president addresses the Iraqis, defies Bush

Originally published March 20, 2003

Iraq's President Saddam Hussein today 7.35 a.m. (Iraq local time) made a speech just three hours from the first American raids against Baghdad. He recited a poem urging the Iraqi people and Iraq's supports to fight the attacker and vowed to achieve victory.

Hussein who was introduced by his information minister Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf defied the US President George Bush by saying "The criminal little Bush has committed a crime against humanity."

Hussein said he will continue to defend Iraq and sacrifice himself, and the family for it.