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Saddam says US threats to attack don't scare him

Baath Party soldiers march in Baghdad during a parade to mark the anniversary of the end of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. PHOTO: REUTERS

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said yesterday he was not frightened by US threats to topple his administration and his country was ready to repel any attack.

Speaking on the anniversary of the end of the 1980 to 1988 Iran-Iraq war, Saddam also called on the UN Security Council to answer a series of questions recently posed by Baghdad.

"There is no other choice for those who use threat and aggression but to be repelled even if they were to bring harm to their targets," Saddam said in a 22-minute taped televised speech to the nation.

"I say it in such clear terms so that no weakling should imagine that when we ignore responding to ill talk, then this means that we are frightened by the impudent threats ... and so that no greedy tyrant should be misled into an action the consequences of which are beyond their calculations," he said.

Saddam, dressed in civilian clothes, added the UN should honor its obligations over trade sanctions imposed on Iraq in 1990 after its invasion of neighboring Kuwait.

"The right way is that the Security Council should reply to the questions raised by Iraq, and should honor its obligations under its own resolutions," Saddam said.

Saddam's address came a day after US President George W. Bush said that while Baghdad posed "real threats," he would consult with Congress and US allies on how to proceed.

Bush and US Vice President Dick Cheney made clear on Wednesday that no decision had been made to go to war to oust Saddam. But Cheney also said a return of UN weapons inspectors to Iraq may not resolve concerns over Baghdad's ability to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Bush, committed to removing Saddam from power, has accused the Iraqi leader of being a menace to the region.

"These are real threats and we owe it to our children to deal with these threats," Bush said.
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