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Saddam Hussein proclaims 'victory' after airstrikes end
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Hussein proclaims victory in a televised speech Sunday
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U.S., Britain: Mission accomplished
In this story:
- Blair outlines containment plan
- Iraqis: 'Death to Clinton'
- U.S. military to remain in region
- Related stories and sites
Web posted at: 1:59 p.m. EST (1859 GMT)
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Dressed in military fatigues and invoking the name of God, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein told his people in a televised speech Sunday that their country had achieved victory after four days of U.S.-British airstrikes.
"You were up to the level that your leadership and brother and comrade Saddam Hussein had hoped you would be at ... so God rewarded you and delighted your hearts with the crown of victory," Hussein said in a broadcast on the Qatari satellite television station al-Jazeera.
"God is the greatest. Damn the weak people who are cheating and have treason in their blood," Hussein said.
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| Attack on Iraq: An image gallery U.S. military damage assessments for first 3 nights of attacks on Iraq | ||
 RELATED VIDEO |
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CNN related video: CNN reports on Iraq strikes
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After a final wave of bombing by American and British forces Saturday evening, U.S. President Bill Clinton announced the end of the military action known as Operation Desert Fox.
Although no official casualty figures have been released, an Iraqi parliamentarian said Saturday that 68 Iraqis died in the first three nights of strikes.
The Pentagon reported 97 sites had been hit and produced aerial photographs of what it said were damaged missile production facilities, collapsed Republican Guard barracks and a government building in Baghdad struck by three cruise missiles.
Both Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the mission -- to stop Iraq from continuing to make and store weapons of mass destruction -- was accomplished.
Blair outlines containment plan
During a Sunday news conference, Blair said both Britain and the United States were "ready to strike again if (Hussein) again poses a threat to his neighbors, or develops weapons of mass destruction."
More than 400 cruise missile launches and 200 aircraft strikes have severely damaged Iraq's ability to produce and repair ballistic missiles, and set back its chemical and biological weapons capabilities, Blair and his military leaders said.
Blair also announced a diplomatic strategy to keep Hussein "in his cage," including the following steps:
- Britain will move its aircraft carrier Invincible to the Gulf in January to reinforce its Tornado aircraft in Kuwait.
"The sending of the aircraft carrier is a very big signal ... that we are not going away," said British Defense Secretary George Robertson.
Britain will undertake "an intensive diplomatic process" with other U.N. Security Council members, Middle Eastern countries and its European allies to devise new ways to stabilize relations between Iraq and other countries.
British Foreign Minister Robin Cook plans to meet with his German counterpart Monday to begin the process. The discussion will focus on how Europe can better target humanitarian aid to Iraqi citizens, Cook said.
Blair also pledged to "continue to engage with the Iraqi opposition to help them develop their vision of a better Iraq."
Iraqis: 'Death to Clinton'
Meanwhile, Iraqis cursed the United States and Clinton Sunday as they climbed out of following the end of the 70-hour, four-day bombing campaign.
"Long live Saddam! Death, death to Clinton!," several hundred demonstrators shouted in central Baghdad.
"I want to kill him (Clinton)," shouted an Iraqi when asked what he thought about the U.S. president's impeachment.
"Impeachment! This is much less than what he deserves. He should be executed for his crimes in Iraq," said shopkeeper Saad Hameed.
Early Sunday, a group of militiamen of the ruling Baath party struck up a pre-dawn chorus offering support for Hussein.
For Muslims, this week marked the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the time Muslims believe the word of God was revealed to the prophet Mohammad. On the religious calendar, Ramadan is aimed at spiritual purification and renewal, and involves fasting during the day and feasting at night.
Many Iraqis left their homes shortly after the nightly airstrikes this week to stock up on traditional sweets.
One woman who took shelter from the raids said simply, "I thank God for this conclusion ... especially (for) our children ... and I thank God for being on our side."
U.S. military to remain in region
Clinton said the United States would continue a strong military presence in the region. He also said the United States would continue monitoring a no-fly zone over parts of Iraq and retain extensive sanctions against the country, while allowing it to continue selling oil in exchange for food and medicine.
Clinton also did not rule out more attacks if Iraq resumes development of the banned weapons.
Correspondents Brent Sadler, Jane Arraf and Reuters contributed to this report.