"In addition, we say to the American peoples, what happened on September 11, 2001 should be compared to what their government and their armies are doing in the world, for example, the international agencies have stated that more than one million and a half Iraqis have died because of the blockade imposed by America and some Western countries, in addition to the tens of thousands who died or are injured in the military action perpetrated by America along with those who allied with it against Iraq. Hundreds of bridges, churches, mosques, colleges, schools, factories, palaces, hotels, and thousands of private houses were destroyed or damaged by the American and Western bombardment, which is ongoing even today against Iraq. If you replay the images of the footage taken by the western media itself of this destruction, you will see that they are not different from the images of the two buildings hit by the Boeing airplanes, if not more atrocious, especially when they are mixed with the remains of men, women, and children. There is, however, one difference, namely that those who direct their missiles and bombs to the targets, whether Americans or from another Western country, are mostly targeting by remote controls, that is why they do so as if they were playing an amusing game. As for those who acted on September 11, 2001, they did it from a close range, and with, I imagine, giving their lives willingly, with an irrevocable determination."
Excerpt from President Hussein’s "Open Letter to the American People" on the official Iraqi Permanent Mission to the United Nations website http://www.iraqi-mission.org/
Other Stories:
“Iraq stands alone as Arab world offers sympathy and regrets” (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,551035,00.html
“Now you know how it feels, Saddam tells U.S.” (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/134342397_saddam16.html
Iraq sends condolences to US group on attacks” (Reuters)
http://www.gsnonweb.com/gsnlib_a/gsn2001/2001_09/20010918/109939.html
“No Link Discerned So Far Between Iraq And US Attacks: Powell” (People’s Daily, China)
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200109/17/eng20010917_80387.html
“Iraq Has No Links to Anti-US Attacks: Iraqi Minister” (People’s Daily, China)
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200109/16/eng20010916_80337.html
“A lesson for all tyrants, says Iraq” (AFP)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/130901/detfor04.asp
“Saddam says America is misguided” (Salon.com)
http://salon.com/news/wire/2001/09/18/saddam/index.html
“Iraqi Paper Expects Baghdad to Face U.S. Retaliation” (Reuters)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010917/wl/attack_iraq_dc_1.html
“No sympathy for America, says Saddam” (The Guardian)
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news2/nn832315.html
“Iraq blames U.S. for terrorist attacks” (Kyodo News)
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/all/display.jsp?an=20010913020
“US hints that Bush may finish his father’s war against Saddam” (The Scotsman)
http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/world.cfm?id=108551&keyword=the&_#Civilian%20deaths%20seen%20as%20acceptable