February 2003 Saddam Hussein interview
The Saddam Hussein interview is a television interview hosted by American journalist Dan Rather with Iraqi president Saddam Hussein on February 24, 2003, very shortly before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The interview was aired both in the United States and on all three Iraqi television networks. British politician Tony Benn had also interviewed Saddam earlier that month.[1]
Background
Rather and
American interview
In the 1980s, Rather had an on-air confrontation with then-vice president
Highlights
When asked if he was "afraid of being killed or captured" early in the interview:
- Saddam: ...Bear with me. My answers are long.
- Rather: Mr. President, I have all night.
Saddam invited President Bush to a live TV debate, to which Bush declined:
- Rather: Who would moderate this debate?
- Saddam: Yes, you Mr. Rather.
- Rather: With respect, Mr. President, I have other problems. I've got enough problems already.
On one occasion Saddam interrupted his translator and corrected his use of the term "Bush", instead of "Mr. Bush", which Saddam explained was out of respect.
Summary
- Saddam declares his support of Allah, Islam and Palestine.
- Saddam denies possessing U.N.Law.
- Saddam denies association with Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.
- Saddam declares he will not step down from presidency or ever surrender against a stronger opponent.
- Saddam also declares he will not go into asylum or leave Iraq, maintaining that "We will die here. We will die in this country and we will maintain our honour".
- Saddam claims that his armed forces lost only 10% of their Operation Desert Storm.
- Saddam expressed willingness to participate in a live globally televised Presidential debate before the Invasion in 2003.
See also
Notes
- ^ Saddam Hussein Interview Airs In Iraq CBS News. February 27, 2003.
External links
- Transcript: Saddam Hussein Interview CBS News. February 26, 2003.
- Video: Saddam Hussein coining Dan Rather about a globally televised Presidential debate on YouTube.
- Transcript of interview between Tony Benn and Saddam Hussein
- Other interviews with Saddam Hussein[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Saddam: I will die in Iraq". 2003-02-26. Retrieved 2024-06-02.