| Subject: Bush / Blair launches new Iraqi TV to Brainwash Iraqis |
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Date Posted: 22:05:31 04/10/03 Thu
Bush / Blair launches new Iraqi TV
Ciar Byrne
Thursday April 10, 2003
Tony Blair and George Bush will address the Iraqi nation later today on a new television station set up by coalition forces, in a bid to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.
It is thought to be the first time the leaders of invading countries have broadcast in this way, although similar TV stations were established at the end of conflicts in Kosovo and Afghanistan.
Towards Freedom will broadcast for one hour a day from the US flying TV station Commando Solo - a specially equipped Hercules aircraft fitted with a television studio.
Blair's speech, which has already been broadcast in the UK, begins by seeking to reassure the Iraqi people that what happened to them in 1991 - when those who rose up against Saddam were brutalised and tortured - will not happen again.
"I want to tell you that Saddam Hussein's regime is collapsing and that the years of brutality, repression and fear are coming to an end, that a new and better future beckons for the people of Iraq," he said.
There will also be an extra four hours of television broadcast each day from Commando Solo by the US AIG - the information department of the US government - which will include news and criticism of the allied forces.
Towards Freedom television follows in the footsteps of Towards Freedom radio, which already broadcasts inside Iraq from the specially equipped aircraft.
"Our forces are friends and liberators of the Iraqi people, not your conquerors, and they will not stay in Iraq any longer than is necessary," said Mr Blair in his address, which like that of President Bush was recorded two days ago when the leaders met at Hillsborough in Northern Ireland.
"I know, however, that some of you feared a repeat of 1991 when you thought Saddam's rule was being ended, but he stayed and you suffered. That will not happen this time. This regime will be gone, and then we will work with you to build a peaceful, prosperous Iraq that you want and you deserve.
"And this Iraq will not be run by Britain, or by the United States, or by the United Nations. It will be run by you, the people of Iraq. Our aim is to help alleviate immediate humanitarian suffering and to move as soon as possible to an interim authority that is run by Iraqis.
"That in turn will pave the way for a truly representative Iraqi government, which respects human rights and the rule of law and spends Iraq's wealth not on palaces and weapons of mass destruction, but on you and the services you need."
"Saddam Hussein and his regime squandered your nation's wealth. While many of you lived in poverty they lived lives of luxury. Saddam became one of the richest men in the world, his money stolen from you the Iraqi people. The money from Iraqi oil will be yours. To be used to build prosperity for you and your families.
"I know too from my meetings with Iraqi exiles who live in Britain that you are an inventive creative people. You should be free to travel; free to have access to independent media; free to express your views; free to develop your culture.
"My experience of people the world over is that we all want to be able to live our lives in peace and in security. We all want to give our families the chance to have a decent life and future. For years that chance has been denied to you. Millions of your countrymen and women have been forced to leave the country. Many thousands have been murdered and tortured, brutalised by the regime.
"Now we want to give you the chance to rebuild your country, to rebuild your lives, to give your families a chance of that better future. So it is in the spirit of friendship and goodwill that we now offer our help."
President Bush said: "At this moment the regime of Saddam Hussein is being removed from power and a long year of fear and cruelty is ended. American and coalition forces are now operating inside Baghdad and we will not stop until Saddam's corrupt gang has gone. The future of your country will soon belong to you."
"The goals of our coalition are clear and limited. We will end a brutal regime whose aggression and weapons of mass destruction make it a unique threat to the world. Coalition forces will help maintain law and order, so that Iraqis can live in security.
"We will respect your great religious traditions, whose principles of equality and compassion are essential to Iraq's future. We will help you build a peaceful and representative government that protects the rights of all citizens and then our military forces will leave.
"Iraq will go forward as a unified independent and sovereign nation that has regained a respected place in the world."
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,933887,00.html
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