Saddam Defiant In Face Of Us Missile Attack

The US move signals its determination to contain Baghdad.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein responded in a defiant speech by urging his air force and anti-aircraft gunners to attack US and allied planes policing Western-imposed air exclusion zones in the south and north of his country.

Hours after the strike US President Bill Clinton said in a nationally televised speech: When you abuse your own people, or threaten your neighbours, you must pay a price.

We must increase America's ability to contain Iraq in the long run.

In the biggest military strike against Iraq since the Gulf War, the US launched 27 cruise missiles at Iraq's air defence targets, clearing the way for the implementation of an extended no-fly zone beginning Wednesday.

 

The extended zone will restrict Iraq's ability to fly aircraft from Baghdad's suburbs towards the Kuwaiti border, and considerably weaken the Iraqi air capabilities.

Iraq will also not be allowed to sell oil for food and medicine, as negotiated recently under UN auspices.

Oil prices shot up sharply in reaction to the news. Prices shot briefly to post-Gulf War highs of $23.50 a barrel early on Tuesday. Gold and the dollar rose and stocks and bonds fell, although price movements were not dramatic.

Clinton said the military strike would protect US national interests in the oil-rich West Asia, and reduce the threat of conflict in the region. Words are not important, actions are, he said, emphasising that the future military action would depend entirely on Hussein's response to the American action.

We have not sought the Iraqi's permission to impose the zone, US defense secretary William Perry told reporters in Washington.

Iraq has labelled the American strike as aggression, and said it will not recognise the imposition of an extended no-fly zone.

You men of our air defence, consider their damned imaginary lines north of the 36th parallel and south of the 32nd parallel non-existent and hit back with capability and efficiency, depending on the Almighty, (at) any hostile plane violating the airspace of your country now and in future, Saddam said on television and radio. He told his forces to give a new lesson in the meanings which they (Americans) with their empty...souls do not carry.

Saddam said God humiliated the aggression and the aggressors and Iraqi losses were minimal. The sons of Iraq were on their guard for the aggressors, downing a great number of their missiles, he said, without specifying how many.

The American air strike comes in the midst of an election campaign, just when the Republicans were beginning to launch blistering attacks against the White House, accusing the president of photo-op foreign policy.

Clinton, subtly maneuvering to stay above the election fray and remain presidential, made a reference to his Republican predecessor in his speech, recollecting George Bush's strong and immediate responses in launching the Gulf War.

Republican challenger Bob Dole, who accused Clinton of being weak and indecisive towards Saddam Hussein, said he would stand squarely behind American troops. But he appeared to blame Clinton for the tension in the region, describing American leadership as having been found wanting.

The Wall Street Journal criticised successive US administrations for a series of half-measures in the region. Editorialised the paper: Iraq's disregard for American leadership is underscored by the fact that Saddam invaded the Kurdish region even though he was desperately counting on the UN to allow the sale of $2 billion worth of oil in exchange for food.

Public response to the strike has been relatively muted so far, largely because the attack deliberately did not put American lives at stake. the strike was launched by remote control missiles from navy ships and B-52 long-range bombers.

The major networks cut away from regular programming to carry the President's speech live, but soon returned to normal broadcasting.

Clinton, himself, was reportedly asleep when the attack was launched, reflecting the American confidence with their overwhelming technological superiority.

The calm could change in a matter of hours, if American pilots get airborne to patrol the no-fly zone. Iraq, though its military strength is much diminished, has demonstrated its ability to down aircraft.