New tape from Saddam (and two loud explosions in Baghdad)

[IndianaGreen]

breaking on Faux.

The reporter in Baghdad reported a large explosion as he was talking about the new Saddam tape.

On edit: reporter said the hotel rocked at the sound of the explosion.

On 2nd edit:

A second loud explosion in Baghdad is now being reported.

SADDAM MARKS RAMADAN

An audio tape with a recording of Saddam Hussein marking Ramadan has been released by Al-Arabia television, according to reports.

The tape was broadcast on the Arabic language television station which is widely seen in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.

The voice sounded like Saddam but was huskier than usual.

He greeted the Iraqi people on the occasion of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and said the "evil ones will not be able to occupy and colonize Iraq".

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1111509,00.html

[Media_Lies_Daily]

1. Pay no attention to those loud explosions...that's just demolition work...

...for the new highway infrastructure being built by the "coalition".

[soothsayer]

2. that's our random retaliation for the copters

I'm sure the thinking is, "ok, we might be blowing up innocent people, but it's the iraqis' fault, not ours; if they want us to stop shelling them randomly, they'll start turning in the bad guys. Until then, they deserve this."

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. Another link with some quotes

http://www.belleville.com/mld/newsdemocrat/7277697.htm
<snip>
The tape was broadcast on the Arabic language television station Al-Arabiya, which is widely seen in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.

"They thought and made others also think that they were going on a picnic to occupy Iraq and destroy their weapons of mass destruction," the voice said, denying that Iraq had any such arms.

"Iraq will rebel against their evil intentions to colonize it and to wield influence in it," he said. "The evil ones now find themselves in a crisis and this is God's will for them."
<snip>

[UpInArms]

4. wonder if they sound like the

ones heard by Cheney's neighbors when he was building the bunker beneath the VP's residence?

[Oreegone]

8. Cheney's Bunker?

Sure it's not Cheney's voice on the tape?

[IndianaGreen]

5. BBC: 'Saddam' tape taunts US military

Last Updated: Sunday, 16 November, 2003, 16:53 GMT
'Saddam' tape taunts US military

A recording purportedly of Saddam Hussein says the occupying forces in Iraq have reached "a dead end".

The audio tape urging Iraqis to step up resistance against the US-led coalition was broadcast on the Dubai-based Arabic TV station al-Arabiya.

"The US thought and made others think that they were going on a picnic to occupy Iraq," the speaker said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3275523.stm

[IndianaGreen]

6. Blast Near U.S. Authority Baghdad HQ, No Casualties

Blast Near U.S. Authority Baghdad HQ, No Casualties
Sun November 16, 2003 12:18 PM ET

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A large explosion hit a Baghdad street near the headquarters of the U.S.-led administration on Sunday night but U.S. soldiers on the scene said there had been no casualties.

The soldiers were investigating to see whether the blast was caused by a bomb or a mortar or rocket attack. Damage was minimal apart from a small crater in the pavement.

Several times this month, guerrillas have fired mortars or rockets at the headquarters of the U.S.-led administration in Baghdad. In response, the U.S. Army has launched "Operation Iron Hammer," a series of air and ground strikes against suspected guerrilla hideouts.

REUTERS

[VolcanoJen]

7. Kick!

:dem: