| Saddaa Calls for war but Losvaa aa opening for Talks
complete text of Iraqi President Saddaa Husayrt'a speech
I this aorning confirms the praliainary judgment of1 that his nood la defiant and uncoaproalslng. rerecorded spoech that waa unusually fatalistic in tone, tha Iraqi laadar virtually pleaded for the start of the ground war but left himself some rooa for diploaatlc maneuvering ln Koacov I and elsewhere.
Koat of Saddam's speechong and rambling; account of the US-Israall conspiracy ha believes is being conducted to totally destroy Iraq. Kuwait, ha clalaed, vas never the issue, and Iraq's withdrawal vas never the solution. Saddaahat ths "events of 2allusion to the invasion of (jpartlot begun6 by tha US, the UK, Israel, and ita Arab allies to destroy Iraq'a military, its religion, and its culture. He placed blame for the failure of negotiation efforts and tha continuation of the var on the United States and its "greedyaudi Arabia and Egypt. Saddaa aade other statements:
o He accused the United States of rejecting hisugust andebruary proposals, even though tha latter ha clalaed aet Western requlreaenta that Iraq withdraw froa Kuvalt. Instead, he charged, tho US aet now anddemando vhich were lapoaslble for Iraq to accept.
Ha implied that Iraq's claims to Kuvalt were still valid-Kuwait is part ofthat any withdrawal would be under duress.
o He adaltted that thaebruary offar of withdrawal basad on UN Security Councilaa intended to "shake the neta of the enasyn athletic allusion, unuaual ln hia apeechas, to dividing tha ranks of Iraq's enealas.
o He called twice for the start of ths ground war. Ha accused the US of avoiding one and attacking instead innocent civilians to "covsr up its Inability to confront" Iraq'a aray and force concessions.
Coaaent: Saddaa signalled his aood today by launching Scud alsailes against Saudi Arabia Just before and after his speech. He seeas preparedinal struggle. Ha alnost welcoaed rejection of hlaebruary proposal, which he noted la atill on the table. In language that ia both nyetlcal and fatalistic, he talked of aartyrdoa and said Iraq has no other course except to fiqht, "after which tner* will be no bright sign in tha sky or brilliant light on earth." After the battle, there "will belorious conclusion,rilliant sun will clear the dust of battle, and whore the clouds o( battles will be dispelled to aake rooarilliant aeon surroundedalo." F)
The speech contains soae snail hints vhich could indicate Saddaa ia still lookingithdrawal deal. Hie clalas that Iraq was lured Into Invading Kuwait could be Intended to prepare Iraqis for withdrawal with dignity. He says Tarlq has carried "directions" toossible reference to efforts to continue the process of negotiating for aore advantageous taras. He has other senior diplomatic envoys. Including Deputy Prlne Minister Sa'dun Hasa^di, who ls already travelling to Asian capitals to solicit support for an end to the fighting. It is aore likely, however, that SaddaaS rejection of any proposal for withdrawal and hopes that any apparent Iraqi diploaatic flexibility will gain hia Soviet, Iranian, and international supportease-fire aore to hla liking.
Original document.
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