• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

PT 2/2, Saddam's Mother of Battles Day Speech

Iraq News, Mon, 18 Jan 1999

The central focus of Iraq News is the tension between the considerable, proscribed WMD capabilities that Iraq is holding on to and its increasing stridency that it has complied with UNSCR 687 and it is time to lift sanctions. If you wish to receive Iraq News by email, a service which includes full-text of news reports not archived here, send your request to Laurie Mylroie .

PT 2/2, Saddam's Mother of Battles Day Speech
II.  SADDAM'S MOTHER OF BATTLES DAY SPEECH, ARAB SATELLITE TV, JAN 16
III. IRAQI LEADERSHIP REISSUES JAN 14 STATEMENT, IRAQ RADIO, JAN 17
IV.  BIG PROTESTS IN IRAQ, AP, JAN 16
V.   MORE PROETSTS IN IRAQ, AP, JAN 17
II. SADDAM'S MOTHER OF BATTLES DAY SPEECH
London ANN Satellite Channel Television in Arabic 2226 GMT 16 Jan 99 
[Speech by Iraqi President Saddam Husayn in Baghdad on the eighth 
anniversary of the second Gulf war on 16 January--recorded]
[FBIS Translated Text] Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the dawn, 
from the mischief of created things. [Koranic verse]
   O great people, o valiant ones in the heroic Armed Forces, o masses 
of the glorious Arab nation, may God's peace be upon you, the sons of 
our nation in the Arab street and in every house and family. Peace be
upon every student, intellectual, military, peasant, and worker, both 
men and women and boys and girls.
  Peace upon and with you, the people of Iraq, with its men and lofty 
women, from the comrades of President Saddam Husayn in the leadership 
and from your brother and son of your people and nation: Saddam Husayn, 
who is afflicted with love for you--a disease without which no official 
in the nation can have good health.  It is the disease I was accused of 
having by some Arab officials who said that Saddam Husayn suffers from 
the Arab street disease. They thought that this was an insult to Saddam 
Husayn. However, brothers, it is the fact. It gives us honor that our 
disease is love for the sons of our nation in the streets, cities, 
villages, factories, houses of education and culture, poor alleys and 
quarters, and rural areas.
  We hoped that this disease would afflict the Arab officials concerned, 
instead of the disease of loving Zionism and the United States, caving 
in to them, carrying out their orders, and responding to their
plans at the expense of the security of the Arabs, their causes, and 
higher interests.
   Had this honorable and benign disease afflicted some Arabs, the 
nation would not have been plagued by what it has been plagued with at 
the hands of the United States, Zionism, and their assistants. God is 
great, and long live the disease of loving the people and nation. 
  Accursed are those who suffer from the disease of loving to obey 
Zionism and the United States and those who are allied with them at the 
expense of their nation and people.  I wish you many happy returns of 
the blessed 'Id al-Fitr. May you have many returns of this occasion, 
with you in your best condition. God is great.
   Once again we remind our Arab brothers and friends of something that 
is unforgettable. On the dark night of 17 January 1991, and before dawn 
the blind darkness was blocking a bright day, and there was a barrier 
between the darkness and daylight. God wanted this barrier to be wide 
enough to accommodate the sins and evil souls of those who committed the 
crime and bad actions. On the other end of that barrier, which has a 
deep and rotten abyss, there was lofty summit of great principles and 
glory in Iraq, which represents faith, patience, sacrifice, and jihad. 
On that day, and in its deep darkness there were those who failed and 
those who won when shells hit Baghdad, and then there were more than 30 
failures in positions that will be chased by shame and disgrace for 
ever. There were 28 armies whose arrows went astray, except when these 
arrows hit those whom God had destined to be martyred and glorified, in 
addition to the properties they destroyed.
   On the other side, there were those who were inspired by the 
deep-rooted and glorious past and held Baghdad in high esteem in terms 
of history, virtue, and high values--the dignified Iraqi people 
demonstrated their good traits along with their leadership, who loved 
them and loved their nation to such an extent that this love turned into 
a disease of great good health and offered sacrifices for their sake and 
devoted all their life and all their time. This has been something 
unprecedented and a picture of the greatness of faith, virtue, and glory 
on our part, and there was unprecedented evil on the side of the evil 
and aggressive ones, those who surrendered obediently or humbly after 
they were led by the United States and Zionism to do this awful thing.
   On this day, the whole of Iraq stood up, with faith and 
determination, with weapons, diligence, and values, together with its 
zealous Arab brothers who prayed God Almighty to make Arab, faithful, 
humane, and lofty Iraq triumphant over its enemies, and the enemies of 
the Arab nation. Every Arab acted based on his own stand and with the 
available means that allowed them to appear in their distinctive colors 
and to trace their path and voice their expression.
   This was the situation eight years ago at the beginning of the first 
half of 17 January 1991.  Yet and with the subsequent blockade that was 
unparalleled in vileness and harm, various positions were adopted toward 
the side which continued to bear grudges and showed hostility and evil 
that put the entire humanity to shame because they tormented and 
oppressed this humanity. Positions were taken on the side of Iraq by 
those whom God supported in their rightful position, which ennobled the 
proud souls that follow honor and virtue and that fight against the evil 
and filth of Zionism and world imperialism, which the United States was 
leading to the abyss.  
   Proud Iraqi men and women, O brothers in the Arab nation; you are the 
air that we breathe, and there is no other air to breathe. Again we 
repeat the question:
  Why did the forces of evil target Iraq alone and concentrate on Iraq 
all this time, especially in the first and second decades of the era of 
the July 1968 revolution and its great march?
  Oh  brothers, the most salient element of man's chastity and the level 
of his earnestness in his utterances, announcements, or promises is to 
be truthful. When he is truthful, he becomes worthy of trust. The
principles and the aims they imply are targets for the people and the 
nation's struggle, the authority for the state, and the mobilization of 
peoples in terms of struggle and jihad against the ambitions of the
foreigners in the pre-government phase, and the firm adherence to these 
aims is a trust that should be upheld and cared for. This requires great 
sincerity and great struggle and jihad.
   The most important sign that foresees the relinquishment of the 
nation by any of its sons -- when anyone of them is in charge of a 
collective mission -- is their relinquishment of this respect and 
abandonment of honest features to adopt ones that are disgraceful to 
one's self and nation.  The enemies of the nation and those coveting it 
found out that the leaders of the revolution and the march of rule, 
construction, and jihad in it are faithful to their call and to what 
they took upon themselves to do or what the people entrusted them with. 
They became more savage and aggressive when they became aware of 
unalterable facts; namely, that leaders of the march, after relying on 
God, can change the declared principles to practical plans and implement 
them.
   These can change the capabilities of Iraq -- which is rich in natural 
and human resources and a glorious deep-rooted heritage -- from mere 
public resources hidden in the ground, kept in memory, or unutilized,
in addition to its land and water, to a fortune and live capabilities. 
They can derive great values from the spiritual and civilized heritage 
of Iraq and our immortal nation and activate them rather than only 
conceive of them as material for general knowledge.
   This is because they want to contribute in an effective and tangible 
manner to the process of reviving men of great culture and their roles, 
and a large percent of them could not afford to wear shoes
at the beginning of the great July revolution. The percentage of those 
who walked barefoot in the countryside was overwhelming. Those who had 
shoes were the exception. The diseases, the deviation from the role, and 
the contradiction between the long-possessed past and the disabled and 
backward present undermined their determination.
   Baghdad, which boasts a history of a glorious nation and assumes a 
big cultural role, was closer to a big neglected village in terms of 
shape and services than to a city with such historical values in the 
twentieth century.
   The state's treasury was empty because it was hostage to the monopoly 
and ambitions of oil companies. And only a few of our people used to 
work, and illiteracy prevailed throughout Iraq.  Meanwhile, backwardness 
and incompetence were deep-rooted in the minds. This situation, and even 
a worse situation, prevailed in the other cities of Iraq.
   After the revolution, life became as it is now despite the successive 
conspiracies of the forces of evil, which were unprecedented in terms of 
their actions.  These conspiracies aimed at uprooting the new will,
which began to build and rejuvenate its role, develop wealth after 
creating it, and safeguard the trust through honesty and capability 
after entrenching it on a sound basis. Honesty and determination were 
not undermined by weakness or bad examples. Honest people safeguarded 
the nation's wealth after creating it and after turning it from merely 
natural resources and dead wealth into living wealth that was reflected 
in every house, quarter, village, hospital, and school both in rural 
areas and cities.
   The concern of those who are leading the march has always been to 
enjoy seeing the people possessing what they really possess in terms of 
development and progress. Their concern also has always been to cut
out the hand of any person who encroaches on or exploits the people's 
wealth and funds. Therefore, they deprived western banks of the 
capability to open accounts for responsible people in the state of Iraq 
as the case was in old eras, especially at the time of the monarchy, and 
as is the case of other officials in the Arab homeland now. Thus, the 
forces of evil realized that the natural resources, including oil, are 
used to strengthen the role and progress of the people in Iraq, not to 
soil this people and to fatten them so as to feed the West. They also 
realized that there will be no retreat from honesty in terms of 
affiliation with the nation, the people, and principles, or from the 
trusteeship over them and the responsibility toward them. There will be 
no retreat either through the attractions provided by the powers or 
through the threats made by foreigners.
   They considered the traits of truthfulness and honesty a great danger 
to their illegitimate interests, because these interests cannot grow up 
with honest and capable officials who are true to their nation and 
people. Thus, the plots became more serious, and great resources were 
devoted for their sake. The machinations which were made by some Arab 
rulers, who share the same characteristics, in the dark turned to be 
insufficient. Thus, the plans became in need of direct roles, some of 
which were played in public.
  This way, some roles and officials were exposed in the chapter of the 
30-nation aggression within the Mother of Battles. During the chapter of 
confrontation on Conquest Day, some roles and officials were exposed on 
a large scale in front of all the Arab masses and the entire world. 
These roles and officials would not have been exposed this way had it 
not been for the requirements for the battle between right and wrong.  
The steadfastness of your great people in Iraq and your support for 
them, o sons of our glorious nation, has made it necessary for such 
roles to be played in public.  Thus, in this respect alone, these are 
the reasons-in addition to the other well-known reasons--which made the 
forces of evil, which are hostile to our nation and humanity, target 
Iraq and become preoccupied with it, because Iraq has served as a great 
dam in the past decade. The collapse of this dam, God forbid, would 
bring about a flood that would drown the greater Arab nation for a long 
time. It would also prevent humanity from playing its role in terms of 
confronting this evil for a long time too.
   The steadfastness of Iraq, as God wants it to be, will make the 
nation realize the facts just as they are and set its new criteria for 
the basis of living examples, which are embodied by loyal sons, and 
derive inspiration from the examples which exist in the nation's 
immortal and great heritage. The examples of our nation which are aware 
of and read about in its immortal heritage are now better understood and 
more credible than in the past. This is because the nation has 
discovered its capabilities in life, creation, and creativity, and the 
power of resistance through the struggling and jihad figures, led by the 
great people of Iraq, who carry the banner of God is great. 
   Therefore, the evil ones will not stop antagonizing Baghdad until 
Baghdad betrays itself and its nation, and Baghdad has never been a 
traitor. The other option is that they will stop when they are defeated 
and lose hope of the possibility of realizing their evil objectives. 
This is what will take place, God willing, and those who wait for 
tomorrow will not wait for long.
   O Arabs, O all human beings: When the West went past the boundaries 
of their countries and residential areas in the past and went eastward, 
those who came to the East did not come to the East to call for
something good or virtuous or for humanitarian purposes that have 
meanings that show mutual interests with those who are in the land they 
came to. The West came as colonizers, usurpers, and aggressors, and came 
to rob the resources of the peoples. By this, the peoples became sadder 
and poorer than they had been. They suffered additional burdens caused 
by the military occupation and colonialism.  The West left the countries 
they occupied militarily and colonized after great sacrifices by the 
peoples of these countries and after the competent colonial countries 
realized that there was no way for them to remain as they used to be and 
through the means they knew. Therefore, some of them left, along with 
some of their land armies, whose presence became impossible and very 
expensive.
   The old colonialism was replaced by something new that suited 
progress and the situation. After every war that takes place in the West 
as a result of rivalry of interests among them or for other purposes, 
the humanity, especially in the East, which is tortured by them, pays a 
dear price. Furthermore, they launched their old campaigns against the 
Eastern countries.
  In addition to all this, there are the threats the United States and 
those who are allied with it against all of humanity, are making, and 
NATO was maintained by the West, and its members were increased and it 
was expanded eastward after the disintegration of the former Soviet 
Union, whose threats NATO was forged under the pretext of confronting. 
In addition to this, the West is a West in terms of its concepts,
interests, heritage, standards, and other affairs, and the East is an 
East in its location, roots, role, and the depth of this role in 
history, culture, heritage, basis, meanings, and other affairs. 
   The policy of America, Britain, and their ally, Zionism, as well as 
all those who assist and cooperate with them, has become a threat to the 
security and stability of the entire world and to international and 
regional interests. After contemplation that is not confined to certain 
circumstances, Iraq is of the view that a grouping should be established 
among the willing world states, beginning with the East. This grouping 
will be an institutionalized grouping with agreed upon rules and 
covenants to establish earnest cooperation in the economic, political, 
and military fields to maintain balance and realize peace. This grouping 
should begin in Asia and its environs, and the Arab nation must be 
viewed as one nation. Any Arab country has the right to join this 
grouping regardless of its geographical position whether it is in Asia 
or Africa. It is natural to say that this grouping is not directed 
against anybody. Nevertheless it should be ready to protect its member 
states and rightly defend--in accordance with sound humanitarian 
standards--the security and interests of its members as well as 
international security.  The positive cooperation among the member 
states is the basis to build on in order to achieve what is positive and 
good in the interest of all, as well as in the interest of international 
and regional security. This grouping is open to all in accordance
with its bases and conditions. While calling for this, Iraq knows that 
this call will find a positive response among the honest nationalists, 
who are concerned about the security of their people and countries, as 
well as the security of the entire world. However, not all those would 
be able to reveal this stand out of fear.
   Iraq is ready for dialogue, on this basis, with all parties with the 
aim of crystallizing the charter of this grouping, as well as its 
bodies, prerogatives, and all that is linked to it. On this basis, Iraq 
will be active with all those concerned. God knows our intention.
   Long live our glorious Arab nation. Long live Iraq and its valiant 
army, the faithful and honest army of the nation. Glory to the martyrs 
of the Mother of Battles.
   Long live Palestine, free, lofty, and Arab, within its natural 
borders.
  Glory to the martyrs of our glorious Arab nation. Glory to and 
almighty God's care for Jerusalem and the two holy mosques.
God is great; God is great.
Let the lowly be accursed.
III. IRAQI LEADERSHIP REISSUES JAN 14 STATEMENT
Baghdad Republic of Iraq Radio Network in Arabic 1130 GMT 17 Jan 99 
[FBIS Translated Text]
President Saddam Husayn chaired a meeting that included a number of 
officials. Discussions at the meeting focused on draft resolutions 
currently proposed in the Security Council regarding the unjust
siege imposed on Iraq.
   An official spokesman made the following statement regarding the 
draft resolutions: For any solution to be practical and fair and save 
the region and beyond from crises and the recurrent hostile acts that 
the evil commit, it should be based on the basic elements that were 
issued by the meeting chaired by President Saddam Husayn and a number of 
officials. These elements are:
1. Keeping clear of double standards and unequal measures in terms of 
what Iraq is asked to respect or abide by in all the previous and 
subsequent issues.  This principle must apply to everyone without 
exception, particularly those who committed the recent aggression 
against Iraq, especially the United States and Britain. These 
requirements and commitments must also be asked of the Zionist entity, 
with the result that the same measures and procedures that were applied 
against Iraq must be applied against it, especially with regard to the 
usurped rights of the Arabs in Palestine and the other occupied Arab 
territories. All the above must be established and implemented on the 
basis of international law and the international precedents in all 
cases, and not on the basis of special considerations and descriptions 
pertaining to every case and each side, or subject to the balance of 
power and influence at the UN Security Council and other circles, thus 
disregarding fairness and justice.
2. Based on these principles, we believe that:
3. The embargo imposed on Iraq, in all its forms, must be immediately 
lifted. What has thus far been achieved regarding the so-called issue of 
weapons of mass destruction is considered sufficient and fully
compatible with what Iraq was forced to do in known circumstances, even 
though many countries in the region still possess such weapons. The 
Zionist entity possesses all these types of weapons, in addition to
nuclear weapons, which are far more fatal [as heard] and dangerous. What 
is forbidden for Iraq must be made forbidden for all others without 
exception. Paragraph 14 of Resolution 687 must immediately be applied to 
the Zionist entity first.
4. The issue of Iraq's due compensation for the aggression inflicted in 
several stages of the aggression since 1991, and the demands that others 
are making on Iraq must be dealt with on the basis of international law 
and international precedents so that each party can get what is 
rightfully his.
5. It would be unfair, and unacceptable for Iraq, to make it bear the 
expenses and the cost of UN activities. If there are expenses to be 
borne, then all the parties concerned must share the expenses.
6. Everyone must respect Iraq's sovereignty, security, and independence 
in a serious manner, and they must not interfere in Iraq's internal 
affairs. The illegitimate no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq 
must be lifted.
   The conferees underlined Iraq's past announcements that Iraq rejects 
and opposes any plans proposed by people with tendentious objectives, 
and that Iraq will continue to expose these plans and those who advocate 
them, who are involved in the conspiracy and aggression against Iraq. 
   As for the other plans, we will continue to discuss them with those 
who proposed them, and who do not have bad intentions, in order to 
correct the concepts and courses on which we have different views.
   The conferees also underlined Iraq's determination to protect its 
airspace against the aggression of the United States and Britain, which 
continue to violate our national airspace. These two countries must bear
the full responsibility for all the damage caused by their constant 
attacks against our air defense positions and against the lives and 
property of the Iraqis, in addition to the responsibility they must bear 
for their aggression that has been continuing since the dawn of 17 
January 1991.
   The leader President, may God protect him, extended congratulations 
to our steadfast people and to our Arab and Muslim nations on the 
occasion of the blessed 'Id al-Fitr. He wished our people and nation 
good fortune and clear victory against the aggression of their 
colonialist and Zionist enemies and their agents.
The meeting was attended by Revolution Command Council [RCC] Vice 
Chairman 'Izzat Ibrahim, Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan, Deputy Prime 
Minister Tariq 'Aziz, RCC Member 'Ali Hasan al-Majid, National Assembly 
Speaker Dr. Sa'dun Hammadi, Foreign Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf, 
and Culture and Information Minister Humam 'Abd-al-Khaliq.