CIA: Tape likely voice of Saddam
From Pam Benson
CNN Washington Bureau
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The CIA's technical assessment of the latest audiotape purported to be from Saddam Hussein has concluded it is "likely" the voice of the former Iraqi leader, although it cannot be determined with absolute certainty, a U.S. official told CNN Thursday.
The speaker on the tape, which was played on the Arabic-language television network Al Arabiya Wednesday, urges Iraqis to "raise troops in resistance" and fight against the "invading forces." He also says the war against the United States has not ended.
Al Arabiya said the tape was recorded on July 20 -- two days before U.S. forces killed Saddam's sons, Uday and Qusay Hussein, in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. The U.S. official said the CIA cannot confirm when the tape was recorded.
The station said it received the tape Wednesday.
Iraq's former ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammad Al-Douri, told Al Arabiya he was sure it was Saddam's voice.
Last week, Al Arabiya aired another Saddam tape that U.S. experts believe was the voice of the former Iraqi leader, and had been taped recently. (Full story)
