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Latest purported Saddam tape urges resistanceNo way to authenticate that speaker is deposed leader
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- In a tape purported to have been recorded this week by deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, an unemotional and tired-sounding voice calls on the people of Iraq to reject the "invaders," while promising that victory is coming. "Iraqi people, great Iraqi people -- women and men, and the Iraqi armed forces and all people who want to change their attitude about their enemies -- peace be upon you all," the tape said. "I don't want to talk in details about the occupation and why and how, and I am going to focus on how to face these invaders and kick them out from Iraq." According to a story in Wednesday's edition of the Sydney Morning Herald, two men on Monday gave the tape to the newspaper's reporters in Baghdad near the Palestine Hotel, but only after they failed to deliver it to correspondents for the Arab TV station Al-Jazeera. "The tape came into our hands pretty much by luck," Herald reporter Ed O'Loughlin told CNN. "I didn't smell a setup. These were not people trying to sell a story for money. They weren't even particularly interested in talking to me. They were just trying to get directions [to the Palestine Hotel]." The men hurriedly drove away after giving the tape to the Herald, saying it was the latest speech by Saddam, reportedly recorded Monday morning. There was no way to authenticate that the tape was made Monday. Nor could it be immediately proven that the speaker on the tape was Saddam -- though most Iraqis who the Herald said it had listen to the tape believed it was him. The tape does make reference to recent events, including the celebration of Saddam's 66th birthday April 28. In a wide-ranging appeal, the tape talked of an underground struggle against coalition forces. "I am talking to you from inside great Iraq and I say to you, the main task for you, Arab and Kurd, Shia and Sunni, Muslim and Christian and the whole Iraqi people of all religions, your main task is to kick the enemy out from our country." The tape is the latest purportedly featuring the former Iraqi leader. A videotape released last Friday, bearing a presidential stamp, was obtained by Associated Press Television News from a former employee of the Iraqi satellite television channel which, under the regime, was responsible for filming and distributing official presidential video. The employee said it was made on April 9, the day American troops streamed into central Baghdad and pulled down a towering Saddam statue. The latest audiotape claims the tide is turning against U.S. and British forces in Iraq. "Your enemy came to Iraq and they thought that the Iraqi people would receive them with flowers but they were surprised," the tape said. "Some people now are changing their minds about the Americans and the occupation. We have no option but to struggle and satisfy God." Calling for perseverance, the voice on the tape said: "We must not be sad and helpless, and God will love he who works for victory. "Victory is coming, God willing ... and of course God will ease our task because there is no victory without the support of God." The tape closes: "Shame on the American government and a curse on them until judgment day."
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