U.S. told Iraq won't fall quickly - Hussein's VP warns battle won't be like Afghanistan war

Associated Press ^ | August 31, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

U.S. told Iraq won't fall quickly

Hussein's VP warns battle won't be like Afghanistan war

08/31/2002

Associated Press

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Iraq will not fall as quickly as Afghanistan's Taliban regime did, the country's vice president said Friday, warning that Iraqis will fight "tooth and nail" against any U.S. invasion.

Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan made the comments after talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, the latest Arab leader he has met in a tour to rally support against the United States.

"Iraq will fight tooth and nail to defend its territory," Mr. Ramadan told reporters. "Iraq is not Afghanistan, and the U.S. administration is aware of that."

The Bush administration has been debating a military campaign to remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from power. Washington accuses Iraq of rebuilding facilities to produce weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. Ramadan also strongly hinted that in the event of a U.S. attack, Iraq might fire Scud missiles at Israel as it did during the 1991 Gulf War.

"When a [military confrontation occurs, it is Iraq's right to confront any country anywhere and at any time," Mr. Ramadan said.

Mr. Ramadan blamed the United States for freezing the dialogue between Iraq and the United Nations on resuming weapons inspections.

In a bid to revive the negotiations, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri wrote to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Annan on Aug. 1, proposing that the chief U.N. weapons inspector visit Baghdad for technical talks.

But Mr. Annan rejected the proposal in an Aug. 6 reply, insisting that Iraq accept a Security Council outline for the return of U.N. weapons inspectors and issue a "formal invitation" for inspections to resume.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/world/stories/083102dnintiraq.116e7.html

[MeekOneGOP]

[BrooklynGOP]

"When a [military confrontation occurs, it is Iraq's right to confront any country anywhere and at any time," Mr. Ramadan said.

So do we. (9/11)

[Cachelot]

Iraq won't fall quickly

Course it won't. It will go up in the air very quickly. On mushroom clouds ;).

[tophat9000]

The thing is we really just want Saddam Hussein from power not Iraqi... Iraqi just may be a house of cards

[Momaw Nadon]

Check out the Attack on Iraq Betting Pool

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

These are the same people who said that the Persian Gulf War would last 8 months and American losses would be brutal. Some people make a career out of being naysayers. Iraq's military is weaker now than it was in 1991. Back then, we trashed their military in a month and the ground war lasted all of 100 hours. And this time, we don't have to worry about holding together a fragile coalition of Arab countries.

[Militiaman7]

How's this?

[RLK]

There's bullcrap, idle boasting, overconfidence, threats, and posturing on both the U. S. and Iraqi sides. There'll be surprizes on both sides. As far as Saddam harboring Bin Ladin, it's highly doubtful. There is not a Muslim country that wouldn't hide or support bin Ladin in some way or another if it could be pulled off without inconvenience or retribution, if he's still alive.

[LouD]

Iraqis will fight "tooth and nail" against any U.S. invasion.

Yup. This time will be different. This time, they will only surrender to armed unmanned reconnaisance aircraft.

[John W]

Yes,there ia all of that on "both sides" as you say.However,the reality is that Saddam loses no matter what.And,if he does something extremely stupid,many more Iraqis than just him lose.

[keyesguy]

And armed television camera crews

[admiralsn]

I>Iraq will not fall as quickly as Afghanistan's Taliban regime did, the country's vice president said Friday, warning that Iraqis will fight "tooth and nail" against any U.S. invasion.

No, it won't be easy like the Taliban. It will be easy like it was 12 years ago. "Tooth and Nail," of course, refers to those soldiers who are gnashing at their nails with their teeth, as they surender to US REPORTERS!!!!

[Amerigomag]

What absurdity!

The state of North Dakota alone could erase the nation of Iraq.

Deporting the illegal aliens found only in Texas to Iraq could desimate Iraq's culture in less than three years.

Appointing Gray Davis to head Iraq's Ministry of Interior Finance could bankrupt Iraq's ecenomy in twelve months.

What absurdity!

[admiralsn]

OOPS, bad html, bad!

[RLK]

And,if he does something extremely stupid,many more Iraqis than just him lose.

-----------------------------------

As you may or may not know, Somewhere over a decade and a half ago Iran and Iraq carried on a war over some piddling controversy that cost an estimated 50% of the male lives within a generation. It was done with enthusiastic participation by people on both sides.

[D-fendr]

Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan made the comments  while whistling past a graveyard.

[A. Pole]

Deporting the illegal aliens found only in Texas to Iraq could decimate Iraq's culture in less than three years.

Appointing Gray Davis to head Iraq's Ministry of Interior Finance could bankrupt Iraq's economy in twelve months.

Sounds like a plan!

[Illbay]

Pay CAREFUL ATTENTION and note all the points of detail that the pro-Iraq factions--in the Middle East, Europe, and right here in the United States (um, that would be the Democrat Party, for those of you trying to round off your score cards--assert in their predictions.

Then, rest assured that the PRECISE OPPOSITE is going to be true.

Remember the "quagmire" of Afghanistan?

[John W]

Yes,I do know that.Not sure of its relevance for the U.S.You certainly don't expect us to lose 50% of the male lives within a generation as a result of this conflict,do you?

[Brian Allen]

<< Iraq will not fall as quickly as Afghanistan's Taliban regime did ..... >>

Bullshit.

Ten days max.

The Iraqis will welcome their liberation with tears of joy streaming down their faces!