Text of Saddam Hussein's speech
( 2003-03-20 18:29 ) (7 )

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi television Thursday, March 20, 2003, a few hours after the first US cruise missiles and bombs fell on Baghdad. In the nationally televised address, Saddam accused the United States of commiting a shameful crime by attacking Iraq. [AP]

Here is the text, as translated from Arabic by The Associated Press, of Saddam Hussein's televised speech after US attacks began Thursday.

"In 1424 of the Hijra (Muslim) calendar, the reckless criminal little Bush and his accomplices committed his crime, with which he had threatened Iraq and humanity.

"He carried out his criminal act - with those who cooperated with him - and has added with his accomplices to the series of shameless crimes against Iraq and humanity a beginning of additional crimes.

"Oh Iraqis and brave men in our nation. For your sake, the sake of our glorious nation, the sake of the banners of jihad and its (national) religion, precious values, family and children.

"I don't want to repeat what should be and what must be done to defend the dear nation and everything that is sacred but I will say:

"Each one of us in the family of the faithful, patient, oppressed Iraq by its evil enemies must remember and not forget that these days will add to earning you the glory you deserve before God.

"May the infidels, the enemies of God and humanity be shamed.

"You will be victorious, Oh Iraqis, and with you the sons of your nation. By God's will you will be victorious and your enemies will be ashamed and dishonored, God willing.

"Oh brave men, opposers of evil in the world. You have noticed how the reckless Bush made light of your positions and opinions against the war and your honest call for peace and committed his terrible crime today.

"I pledge to you, in the name of the Iraqi leadership and the Iraqi people that Iraq will carry out jihad with the heroic army in the Iraq of civilization, history and belief; we will fight the invaders and drive them, God willing, to...lose their patience and lose their way ... .

"They _who have carried on with their crimes and evil acts - will suffer the defeat that every jealous faithful and lover of humanity...wishes for them.

"Iraq will be victorious, and with Iraq, our nation and humanity will be victorious and the evil will be hit to the extent that it will no longer be able to carry out crimes and will be hit by what the American-Zionist criminal alliance committed against nations and peoples, mainly our glorious Arab nation.

"Allahu Akbarm Allahu Akbar (God is great). Long live Iraq and Palestine. Long live our glorious nation and the lovers of peace, security and the right of people to live freely on the basis of justice. Long live jihad. long live Palestine."

(AP)