minister denies us in baghdad

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Posted: Sat, 5 Apr 2003 21:19 AEST

Iraqi minister denies US presence in Baghdad
Iraq's Information Minister claims Baghdad is firmly under Iraqi control and denied United States reports the troops had reached the centre of the capital.

Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf also contradicts US claims on Baghdad international airport, saying that Iraqi troops have defeated US forces at the airport.

During a news conference, Mr al-Sahaf brought up the Hollywood film Wag the Dog, in which a fictional war is created to cover up a White House scandal.

Mr Al-Sahaf says the US is using tricks like, "sound bombs", to scare people.

"Like the Wag the Dog film. I'd like to say to you, they fail people.

"They believe that the other world will believe them but they are gullible."

He says Republican guards have expelled the invaders.

Mr al-Sahhaf says US troops have been chased outside the airport.

"Since the early morning after this force has been crushed at Saddam airport and their losses were huge tremendously huge their machinery has been destroyed to a great extent.

"They are still trying to fire every now and then by using light artillery RPGs."






http://www.abc.net.au/news/justin/nat/newsnat-5apr2003-82.htm