The pre-dawn strike was targeting leadership figures, including Saddam
himself, U.S. officials said.
The Iraqi leader opened the speech by stating the date - March 20, 2003. This
might have been used to prove that address was live and wasn't videotaped.
But quickly he stated the beginning of hostilities constituted a "criminal
act" by the U.S.
"We promise you that Iraq, its leadership and its people will stand up to the
evil invaders, and we will take them to such limits that they will lose their
patience in achieving their plans, which are pushed by criminal Zionism," Saddam
said.
"They will face a bitter defeat, God willing," he said. "You will be able to
achieve glory and your despicable infidel enemies will be defeated."
"This is added to the series of their shameful crime against Iraq and
humanity," Saddam said, describing the U.S. president as 'little, evil Bush."
He ended the address by chanting, "Allahu akbar" or God is great, and saying,
"Long live jihad and long live Palestine."