International   

`Saddam' threatens to widen resistance

CAIRO JUNE 14. A letter purportedly written by deposed Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, is warning foreigners to leave Iraq or face death.

A copy of the three-page letter, sent to the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper and made available to the Associated Press, warned that a new stage in the Iraqi ``resistance'' to the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq was about to begin.

``We tell the countries of the world to remove your citizens from Iraq (as) we are in a liberation struggle. If you do not do this then you will be responsible for their lives,'' the June 12 dated letter said.

Al-Quds Al-Arabi has published several letters, including two last month, it claims to have received from Mr. Hussein. The London-based daily has taken a pro-Saddam editorial line and blamed the Iraqi people for his toppling. But its reports have been met with scepticism, in part because the handwriting did not appear to match Mr. Hussein's.

The latest letter says the Iraqi ``resistance has taken an irreversible decision to widen our operations.''

``We, therefore, warn all foreigners and those who came with the cowardly occupier, no matter what their role or duty is. We tell them of the decision that they must leave Iraq before'' June 17, the letter said.

It was not immediately clear why this date was mentioned.

The paper's managing editor, Sana Aloul, said the newspaper was unaware of the letter's origins, but said she had no reason to doubt that it was from Mr. Hussein. The letter said attacks should be waged on the forces of several countries, including Poland and Denmark. — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Israel, Palestinians to resume talks despite violence
• Gunfire heard as vigilantes attack Iranian protesters
• Democrats to push for open debate
• `Saddam' threatens to widen resistance
• Street battles in Caracas
• No summit-level talks now, says Jamali
• U.N. resolutions on Kashmir no more practicable: JKLF
• Thai held for possession of nuclear material
• Pro, anti-Musharraf lawyers clash
• Snag in space shuttle hardware detected
• Educational qualifications of MMA legislators challenged
• Korean rail link opened after 50 years
• LTTE hand suspected in EPRLF leader's killing
• The name's Bond, Sir James Bond
• Compromises needed on Kashmir: Advani

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu