Iraqi official newspaper signals shift on Osama Bin Laden
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct 14, 2001 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- A
newspaper owned by a son of the president sang the praises of Osama Bin
Laden on Sunday, signaling a shift in the Iraqi government's attitude to the
United States' No. 1 enemy.
While Iraq has been quick to condemn the United States for its airstrikes
on Afghanistan, it had previously downplayed their target - bin Laden, the
chief suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.
Protesters at last week's mass demonstration in Baghdad denounced
America but did not carry bin Laden posters or chant his name.
Government officials denied media reports of an Iraqi link to bin Laden.
They pointed out that Iraq does not recognize the Afghanistan government
that harbors him.
However, on Sunday the newspaper Babil published a column that
addressed itself to the foreign ministers who took part in the Organization of the Islamic
Conference meeting in Qatar on Wednesday. The conference gave quiet support to the U.S.
airstrikes.
"(U.S. President George W.) Bush despises you," the columnist told the ministers. "He did not
inform you of the strikes because you have no say. He informed (British Prime Minister Tony)
Blair, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and others while you were sitting ... Shame on you."
The columnist did not reveal his name, but appeared to be a person with influence. Babil is owned
by Odai Hussein, the son of President Saddam Hussein.
"Compare your faces to Osama's beautiful appearance on all televisions of the world, swearing
that he will not let America live in peace until Arabs do," the columnist continued, referring to the
videotaped speech of bin Laden that was broadcast shortly after the airstrikes began on Oct. 7.
"He said it while facing blasphemy's missiles falling ... and the whole world listened," the
columnist wrote.
On another page, Babil published a poem written in homage to bin Laden.
"All America is trying to kill me and I wish to die while fighting," says one line. The poet portrays
bin Laden as lonely figure enduring "the oppression of the enemy."
By WAIEL FALEH Associated Press Writer
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