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Saddam`s `holy warriors` tape probably authentic: CIA
Washington, July 08: The CIA has said that an audiotape broadcast last week allegedly of Saddam Hussein calling for `holy warriors` to attack US interests, was probably authentic.
Washington, July 08: The CIA has said that an audiotape broadcast last week allegedly of Saddam Hussein calling for "holy warriors" to attack US interests, was probably authentic.
The tape, which was aired by the Arab satellite television channel Al-Jazeera, is now the first real confirmation that Saddam survived the US-led war to oust him.
"The CIA's assessment, after a technical analysis of the tape, is that it is most likely his voice," the agency said in a statement yesterday. The tape was dated June 14, but the Central Intelligence Agency said, "The exact date of the recording cannot be determined because the quality of the tape is very poor."
The purported Saddam voice in the recording said the former president and his aides were still in Iraq and that cells of "holy warriors" would step up their fight against coalition forces. "I bring you the glad tidings ... That the cells and brigades of jihad and sacrifice have been formed on a large scale, comprising male and female Mujahideen (holy warriors), and launched their honorable battle against the enemy."
The speaker also exhorted Iraqis to resist the US occupation enforced after the March 20 invasion. "I miss you, my beloved ones, although I am amidst you and within your ranks," Saddam told the Iraqi people in the tape.
Some film of Saddam was broadcast during the war, including one of him walking in the streets of Baghdad greeting ordinary Iraqis.
Bureau Report
"The CIA's assessment, after a technical analysis of the tape, is that it is most likely his voice," the agency said in a statement yesterday. The tape was dated June 14, but the Central Intelligence Agency said, "The exact date of the recording cannot be determined because the quality of the tape is very poor."
The purported Saddam voice in the recording said the former president and his aides were still in Iraq and that cells of "holy warriors" would step up their fight against coalition forces. "I bring you the glad tidings ... That the cells and brigades of jihad and sacrifice have been formed on a large scale, comprising male and female Mujahideen (holy warriors), and launched their honorable battle against the enemy."
The speaker also exhorted Iraqis to resist the US occupation enforced after the March 20 invasion. "I miss you, my beloved ones, although I am amidst you and within your ranks," Saddam told the Iraqi people in the tape.
Some film of Saddam was broadcast during the war, including one of him walking in the streets of Baghdad greeting ordinary Iraqis.
Bureau Report