Text of Saddam’s message
Following is a translation of excerpts of an audio tape believed to be from ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and which was aired by Aljazeera television on Friday.
“In the name of God, the Beneficent the Merciful…
“We are now the 14th of June, 2003 and I have received requests from people asking why they haven’t heard the voice of Saddam for a long time…
“I tell you that I miss you, miss you oh beloved people even though I am among you and in your ranks….
“Oh beloveds, I told you before the war that we will not let you down with the help of God, and we will not anger God by giving in to the U.S. threats and allow them to impose on Iraq what they want and to rule it without any battle and to humiliate its dignity in return for preserving our rule under their imperialist control…
“We remained faithful to our pledges. We sacrificed power but we refused to sacrifice our principles…
“I bring you the good tidings that resistance and jihad cells have been formed on a wide scale inside Iraq and they are fighting the enemy and the occupation. No doubt you are hearing about their operations and the casualties they are inflicting upon the invaders.
“The next few days, God willing, will be arduous for the infidel invaders and honourable for the faithful.
“I urge you to protect the heroic resistance fighters and not to give the infidel invaders or their aides any help or information about their operations.
“God is Greatest, God is Greatest, the invaders are defeated and their actions are also defeated.”