Saddam's alive, say US experts

2003-03-25 10:42

Washington - Senior United Staes government officials believe Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is alive because of his convincing Monday appearance on Iraqi television, reports the Washington Post.

One official told the Post the person on television looked so much like Saddam that the CIA did not have to run a voice analysis to confirm the identity.

Saddam, dressed in olive-green military uniform, on Monday pledged a long and bitter war against US and British forces in a second "victory" speech broadcast in Iraq.

While US officials said the presentation may have been recorded, they believe the recording came after last Thursday's attack on Saddam's residential compound in Baghdad, according to the Post.

US intelligence officials remain convinced Saddam was inside the compound when it was hit by two bunker-busting bombs and about 35 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Soon after the Monday speech was broadcast, US and British officials had publicly cast doubt on its authenticity, suggesting that it was taped and noting Saddam's use of doubles in the past. - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA