Another Purported Saddam Tape is Aired
VOA News
23 Jul 2003, 13:49 UTC
An Arabic-language television station has broadcast another audio tape purportedly recorded by ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television aired the tape Wednesday - one day after Saddam's two sons were killed by U.S. forces in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
The tape is said to have been recorded on July 20 - two days before the Mosul operation.
The voice on the tape calls on Iraqi soldiers to rise up against coalition forces, saying the war in Iraq is not over.
There was no immediate way to confirm the tape's authenticity. However, Iraq's former ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed al-Douri, says he is convinced the voice on the tape is indeed Saddam Hussein's.
The Associated Press quotes Mr. al-Douri as saying he believes Saddam no longer has any effective influence over the Iraqi people.
U.S. officials have said several previous audio tapes purportedly recorded by the deposed Iraqi leader are probably authentic.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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