Hussein calls for debate with Bush
Posted on 02/25/2003 5:22:02 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Hussein calls for debate with Bush
Iraqi leader also tells CBS anchor he won't destroy banned missiles
02/25/2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Monday challenged President Bush to an internationally televised debate and indicated that he did not intend to follow U.N. orders to destroy his al-Samoud 2 missiles.
In an interview with CBS anchor Dan Rather, Mr. Hussein said he envisioned a live debate with Mr. Bush along the lines of those in a U.S. presidential campaign, CBS said on its Web site.
Regarding chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix's order that Iraq destroy its al-Samoud 2 missiles, "Saddam indicated he does not intend to destroy them or pledge to destroy them as demanded," the network said.
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Responding to the reported debate offer, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "This is not a serious issue. There is no debating his need to disarm."
Mr. Fleischer said Mr. Hussein's comments about the Al-Samoud missiles represented "open defiance" of the United Nations. "He refuses even to acknowledge that the weapons are prohibited," Mr. Fleischer said.
Iraq has until the end of the week to begin destroying the missiles, components and other related systems. Failure to do so could give impetus to a draft U.N. resolution submitted Monday by the United States, Britain and Spain that would pave the way for war.
Iraq had suggested it was trying to persuade the United Nations to allow it to keep the missiles after technical modifications worked out in talks with U.N. technicians.
In New York, Dr. Blix said he was sending his chief deputy, Demetrios Perricos, to Baghdad to discuss the demand with Iraqi officials. But he insisted that his order stands.
"Well, we have set the date for the commencement of the destruction of these missiles, and we expect that to be respected," Dr. Blix said. "There will be a discussion about the pace of the destruction, and Mr. Perricos, as my deputy, will be there for that purpose."
On Sunday, the Iraqi president met separately with Russian envoy Yevgeny Primakov, a former Soviet foreign minister and Russian prime minister, and Ramsey Clark, a former U.S. attorney general prominent in the global anti-war movement.
Mr. Hussein told Mr. Primakov he would cooperate completely with U.N. inspectors tasked with verifying that Iraq has rid itself of weapons of mass destruction, Russia's Foreign Ministry said.
Mr. Clark came away with a similar impression, saying, "He's thinking he'll do anything that he reasonably can that is honorable and protective of the sovereignty of his people to prevent war."
But Mr. Clark, who said Mr. Hussein appeared "remarkably relaxed," also said the Iraqi president is convinced nothing he can do will prevent a U.S.-British attack because President Bush has made up his mind.
"What he thinks is, no matter what Iraq's performance is, the president will attack," Mr. Clark said.
In an interview with CBS anchor Dan Rather, Mr. Hussein said he envisioned a live debate with Mr. Bush along the lines of those in a U.S. presidential campaign, CBS said on its Web site.
So who would he be on the ticket with? Gephardt? Sharpton? ...
What a JOKE ! BOTH SADdam and Dan Blather. Let's Roll !!
I have to give it to Saddam, he is playing the left-wing in this country like a fiddle. Wait until Blather sees Saddam's arsenal of chemical weapons that he unleashes if the war starts (where are those 3 ships that left Iraqi port a few months ago?). Only then will this IDIOT realize that he was/is complicit in Saddam's little puppet show. Maybe then, he can go on the Late Show and cry with David Letterman, you little wus!
Rather can get closers to Saddam than his own military officers!
. . . because Saddam has exactly the same system used so effectively be Clinton--pettifoggery. Interminable argumentation designed not to resolve but to extend debate.My instinct during the Gulf War was that GHW Bush needed to get into an M1-A1 Abrams tank and challenge Saddam, mano a mano. It's a second guess now to say that that would have been quite safe--and to point out the loss of face Saddam would have endured had he declined.
It will be broadcast by the front-line reporters when we go in...
1. Dan Rather knew the location of Saddam Hussein.
2. Or, he knew electronic signals would have given away the location.
If he were a patriot, he would have informed our government/military. A few well placed missiles could have taken out the cancer and prevented an entire war.
How to decide who wins? Let the Iraqi people vote the winner, with voting supervised by Nobel Laureate Jimmy Carter, backed up by US military.
What an upsurdity! A dictator touting a desire to practice one of the great symbols of democracy....debating---which is nothing more than an exchange of ideas between free thinking people!
While driving home from a meeting last night I heard this being discussed on talk radio last night and he two host of whatever show was on made a good point. Why don't they play horseshoes to determine a winner, instead of debating? Or Rock, Scissors, Paper? Any president up for tic, tac, toe?
Not as far as I know. Neither have the CongressCritters that went over there nor the 'Human' Shields. They are rather INhuman ...
Sounds like the range issue will be used by France. Chirac will likely say the missles are OK and no UN action is needed. I can just hear the worm speak now....
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