Speech indicates Saddam survived initial air strike: US intelligence

Yahoo ^ | AFP

[Smogger]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US intelligence believes that a speech by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) broadcast over Iraqi television, while not conclusive, indicates that he survived a March 20 air strike, a US official said.

Saddam Hussein's reference in the speech to the downing of an Apache helicopter appeared to be of a March 24 incident, the official said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"What aired today is not conclusive" but suggests that it was done after the air strikes, because of the reference to a helicopter being down, the official said.

Saddam's fate has been a subject of intense speculation since the United States opened its war against Iraq (news - web sites) on March 19 with a "decapitation" strike on a compound in Baghdad where the Iraqi leader was believed to be gathered with other seniors members of the regime.

US officials have said that all Saddam's previous appearances on Iraqi television were videotapes that could have been made before the war.

But this was the first time one of his speeches contained an apparent reference to a specific event that occurred after the start of the war.

[Smogger]

Ahem.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

[ewing]

Oh yeah, what are the chances that an Apache helipcoter would crash in a sandstorm (that any Arab propoganda miester could look at the weather report and figure out)

[Only1choice____Freedom]

And the chances of him knowing that a helicopter would be downed at some time during the war is what?

Saddam is dead. They are searching through his tapes that he made weeks or months before this whole thing started is taking longer than they thought.

BUSH: "Saddam, I'm calling you out!!"

[VRWC_minion]

I used to hope he was dead. Now I hope he is alive.

[smith288]

The chances of at least one helicopter going down was very high. You cant conclude that he made this speech after the first bomb simply because of a general statement about a helicopter "shot" down when in reality, was downed by mechanical problems.

[MEG33]

I wonder if he recorded this on the Syrian Riviera.

[VRWC_minion]

Your excerpt is the entire article.

[Liberals are Evil Socialists!]

Bull! His reference in pre-taped speaches is so vague it could have meant anything. He could be referring to Black Hawk Down, Mogadishu, some other thing. This is pre-recorded tripe set on the shelf and the Info minister looked long and hard to find vague innocuous time insensitive garbage. This dude is either dead or seriosly marginalized. Otherwise he would refer to more specific thigns and not be so cloaked. This is the same cycle we went through every time this mug pops up.

Doubting Thomases need MORE proof. So far, all they prove is they ahve a mini-Hollywood set of canned Saddam. He's Spam!

[fightinJAG]

Generally, I agree with the assessment.

I would note, however, that Saddam has been claiming that he has shot down U.S. helicopters on a regular basis since time immemorial.

[w_over_w]

[DoughtyOne]

That headline is unconcionable. (Is that a word? Heh heh heh) The media should report the incidents and quit being a mouthpiece for Hussein's propaganda machine. Sheesh!

[sarasota]

I'm getting tired of these anonymous sources.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

...a US official said...

Single source weak "journalism".

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[newgeezer]

Good to see the armchair intel experts chiming in here.

Let's see the tape.

[1poedpatriot]

sadam is dead
http://www.zoooooom.com/weekendatsadams.htm

[stanz]

Oh Jeez, this is hysterical, that Registered's amazing.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

No doubt. I almost blew coffee all over my computer when I first saw that this morning.

[Grampa Dave]

You posted: I'm getting tired of these anonymous sources.

Arab Frog Pressitutes and Reuters never have a real source unless it is some lunatic lib in Tasmania or Belgium agreeing with the bs of the article.