Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said on Wednesday Baghdad wanted to avoid war with the United States, but not at the price of its independence.
"The Iraqi people don't want war, but not at any cost. We don't compromise on our independence, dignity and right to live as free men acting freely," Saddam was quoted by the state Iraqi News Agency as saying during a meeting with visiting leader of the Russian Communist Party Gennady Zyuganov.
"At the same time as our people need their freedom, dignity and sovereignty, they respect the freedom, sovereignty and dignity of others, including America if it respected the freedom and sovereignty of Iraq and Arabs," he said.
"But if America tried (to attack), and was possessed by devils and imagined it could achieve the goals it talks about, then it would see the determination of the Iraqi people and, God willing, we would defeat it." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
