BAGHDAD, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Friday compared President Bush to the Mongol who destroyed Baghdad in 1258.
In a televised speech to mark the 12th anniversary of the 1991 U.S.-led Persian Gulf War that ended with the ouster of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait, Saddam said his country has mobilized to confront any U.S.-British attack.
Saddam referred to Bush several times in his 30-minute speech -- without naming him -- as the 13th-century Mongol leader Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. But Saddam said, Baghdad today is different than it was in when Hulagu invaded.
"The Hulagu army of this century came to confront Baghdad after Baghdad was born again ... and recovered its leading role after nearly 700 years," he told the Iraqis, adding that the new Hulagu will not be able to enter Baghdad and great Iraq or "defeat the will of your brothers in Palestine."
"Hulagu of this age is attacking your mother, the Iraqi civilization," he told the people. "Tell him in a loud, clear voice: Stop your evil against the mother of civilizations, the primary museum, landmark and cradle of civilizations, the cradle of messengers and prophets," he said.
Saddam said that in 1991 Iraq defeated a concentration of evil from 30 countries and today "we have mobilized our abilities, including those of the army, people and leadership."
He said Jews had played a wicked role against Baghdad in the past and that Zionists in Washington were still conspiring against Baghdad.
