Czechs: Saddam planned Prague attack

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein planned a 1999 terrorist attack on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's offices in Prague, Czech officials say.

Nova Television quoted officials of the Czech counter-intelligence service BIS as saying Saddam used diplomatic cover to arm terrorists in Prague who were to use rocket-propelled grenades to blow up RFE/RL's offices in the city, the Czech news agency CTK reported Monday.

Saddam also planned two other terror attack in the Czech Republic, but all three were foiled by the BIS, agency spokesman Jan Subert told the broadcaster.

"(Saddam) ordered his secret service to stop the Iraqi broadcasting of Radio Free Europe by violent means. He earmarked a lot of money for this purpose," Subert said.

Military police spokesman Jan Cermak told Nova the use of such anti-tank rockets in Prague would have killed people.

The BIS revealed Iraqis at the Prague embassy in April 2003 voluntarily gave up the weapons that were supposed to be used in the attack, CTK reported.

Saddam was overthrown that year after an invasion by the United States and several allies. He was later captured, sentenced to death and hanged in 2006.