Saddam says won`t destroy missiles: CBS Television

Washington, Feb 25: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said in an interview that he has no plans to comply with a UN demand that he destroy his banned al-Samoud 2 missiles. Saddam yesterday flatly denied that even his most advanced al-Samoud missiles violate UN restrictions, indicating he does not intend to destroy them or pledge to destroy them as demanded by chief UN inspector Hans Blix.
"We do not have missiles that go beyond the proscribed range," Saddam Hussein insisted in the CBS Television interview, his first with a US journalist in a decade.
Saddam also challenged US Oresident George W Bush to join him in a live radio and television satellite linkup to debate the need for war before the world.
"I am ready," said the Iraqi President, "to conduct a direct dialogue -- a debate -- with your President. I will say what I want and he will say what he wants."


"This will be an opportunity for him, if he's committed to war, this will be an opportunity to convince the world."

"This is something proposed in earnest" Saddam said, "out of my respect for the people of the united states and my respect for the people of Iraq and the people of the world. I call for this because war is not a joke."

"As leaders," said the Iraqi president to hisUSs counterpart, "why don't we use this opportunity?"

Bureau Report