Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/24/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / SADDAM (S)

NUMBER=2-301193

BYLINE=GREG LaMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Saddam Hussein gave a speech today on Iraqi television lauding his troops and his people and promising that victory would soon be achieved. Greg LaMotte has more from V-O-A's Middle East bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: Saddam Hussein told the Iraqi nation that "victory will be ours soon" and called on Iraqis to "cut the throats of the enemies." He promised that believers in God will be victorious. He said Iraqis will make it as "painful as possible" against the enemy so that they "will be defeated and choked and terrified."

The Iraqi president said coalition forces would soon come to the conclusion that they would not be able to continue what he called "their crimes against Iraqis and humanity."

During the speech he made reference to several Iraqi cities, including Basra, Mosul and the southern port city of Umm Qasr, where he said Iraqi forces were battling coalition troops.

He praised his soldiers and said they were causing the enemy to "suffer and lose" every day. (Signed)

NEB/GL/KL/WD