IRAQ: A defiant President Saddam Hussein said yesterday that Iraq had mobilised its forces to defeat US troops at the gates of Baghdad should they invade his country.
The following are excerpts from Saddam's televised speech marking the 12th anniversary of the 1991 Gulf War over Kuwait:
" . . .On the night of 16-17 January, 1991 and afterwards Baghdad defended itself along with every faithful valiant and noble woman in defence of the command which God has given for their new birth.
"Their determination never bent. They defeated all evil troops of more than 30 states together with those who supported them...
"Hence, with the flying banner, raise high your swords and rifles, Oh our dear people, and remind anyone who may still be under a delusion so that he might not be deluded of your stand...But if he does so, let your guns wait in ambush for him, preceded and guided by the radiation and light of your faith...
"The Jews and their supporters played a remarkably malicious role against Baghdad in the past and this conspiratorial, aggressive and wicked role is today returning to them, to the Zionist Jews and the Zionists who are not of Jewish origin, particularly those who are in the US administration and who stood opposite our nation Iraq.
"Baghdad, its people and leadership, is determined to force the Mongols of our age to commit suicide at its gates... We have determined and planned to defeat the aggressors. We have mobilised our abilities, including those of the army, people and leadership...
"They have come to confront our nation at a time when the sons of our nation are embracing in their souls and chests a great faith and a great state of consciousness of their role and of how it should be, in order that we attain what must be attained.
"Thus the nation may revert to its true belief and with its holy struggle can truly rise to its great faithful pan-Arab and humanitarian role.
"The army of Hulagu has now come at this age to clash with Baghdad after it has been born anew... So tell him in a clear loud voice, Oh evil one, cease your evil doings against the mother of civilisation... the cradle and birthplace of prophets and messengers.
"They will commit suicide on the walls of Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. The entire nation will rise up in defence of its right to life, of its role and of anything it holds sacred.
"...The martyrs of the nation will turn into green birds in paradise, as the Merciful has promised. Shame on the despicable ones. Long live Iraq. Long live Palestine, free and Arab, from the sea to the river. God is Greatest, God is Greatest, God is Greatest. - (Reuters)