The Dan Rather - Saddam Interview That Never Happened
From: Planetnews Broadcast
But would the American people---to say nothing of the world---want to hear the following interview? I believe so. I believe it would function like a massive shot of adrenaline.
Q: Mr. President, do you think the US and England are dissatisfied with the results of the weapons inspections because they know you have other weapons, the ones they supplied you with?
A: I'm glad you brought that up, Dan. Are you perhaps referring to the chlorine plant we bought from England, which could be used to make mustard gas?
Q: Yes. That and other WMDs. All those biological agents America supplied, from the American Type Culture Collection.
A: I think they sold us about 800 biowar agents. By the way, does that company still exist?
Q: Yes it does.
A. Of course, the US Department of Commerce okayed that sale.
Q: And this was because we were on your side when you fought against Iran.
A: Correct, but when you stop and think about it, why did you sell us NBCs?
Q: NBCs?
A: I'm not talking about your rival network, Dan. This stands for nuclear, biological, and chemical technology. From the US, France, England, and Germany, we came into possession of technology which you call WMD. I mean, why didn't you just sell us conventional bombs and planes and tanks?
Q: I hadn't considered that question.
A: But you should. I mean, we both know that I'm a brutal person. The record is pretty clear on that. I've always wondered why you sold us such devastating weapons. It's curious.
Q: What are you getting at?
A: I'm sure you'll think this is delusional, but for the moment let's assume that on some drawing board way back in the 1980s, there was a plan---say, at the Pentagon---to attack Iraq. I don't believe that's too far-fetched. And every war needs a reason that plays well with the people, your people. Would it be sufficient for your president to say, "Saddam has tanks and guns and conventional bombs." I don't think so. I think you needed a better reason than that. You needed to point to something much more sinister---the NBC technology. And of course, where did we get that?
Q: Are you saying that these Western nations---
A: First and foremost the US---
Q: Supplied you with NBC tech so that later on, much later, they could convince everyone that you were not only brutal but truly dangerous?
A: Bingo, Dan.
Q: Let me make a note of that.
A: Please do.
Q: Let's go back to the first Gulf War. Just before you invaded Kuwait, you had a meeting with April Glaspie, who represented the US State Department.
A: That's right.
Q: What exactly did she tell you?
A: That the US government would not be concerned if we went into Kuwait. That this was our business.
Q: Of course, things didn't turn out that way once you went into Kuwait.
A: No. You see, this is what I mean by finding a reason to go to war against us. Once we invaded Kuwait, President Bush suddenly appeared shocked. The whole mood changed.
Q: But didn't you think that April Glaspie was setting you up?
A: It had crossed my mind.
Q: Come on, Saddam.
A: You have to understand that I had a very good relationship with the US government. And the CIA. In a sense, I was a surrogate drafted to destroy Iran, which was your number one enemy at the time. So I really didn't believe that Ms. Glaspie was being less than honest. We had just sacrificed many lives to defeat Iran. By the way, it took me awhile to figure out why the US got rid of the Shah in Iran.
Q: What do you mean?
A: Well, he was your man there.
Q: He was a brutal dictator.
A: (laughs) Please.
Q: The US got rid of the Shah?
A: Yes, and brought in the Ayatollah. You see, the Ayatollah had his own connections to the CIA while he was in exile. In Paris, I believe. Well, it was obvious to everyone that the Shah, with his secret police and his army, could never have been overthrown by a bunch of rag-tag students---unless his army got an order to stand down. And that order came from the US.
Q: Why in the world---
A: Because the US wanted the Shah to go. Because he was becoming a threat.
Q: In what sense?
A: Didn't you know? He was about to build the biggest plastics factory in the world. He had the oil, which was the basic component. The Shah wanted to turn Iran into a fully industrialized nation. He wanted to become a major trading partner with Europe. And that plastics factory was a major step in the right direction.
Q: I did hear something about that.
A: Well, think about it. There were very powerful interests who didn't want such industrialization to happen. Iran had been designated as an oil colony, a supplier of fuel and nothing else.
Q: So, in a sense, the Shah had overstepped his mandate.
A: Correct. His ambition brought him down.
Q: But those interests you speak of, who didn't want Iran to become fully industrialized---they wouldn't have just been the US.
A: Those interests are international in scope.
Q: Which would mean---
A: These nations we are speaking of, ALL of them--are pieces on the chessboard. Of course, they pursue their own self-interest, but in a larger sense they function as part of a bigger plan.
Q: And the Ayatollah?
A: He was charged with the mission of taking Iran back to the Stone Age. He did his job well. He made sure that the industrialization was derailed. That was his job. He did it under the cover of radical Islam.
Q: And how would you know such things?
A: My own country, under my guidance, has had a similar objective. Modernization. Of course, I kill my opponents eagerly. I'm not a nice man. But I have felt the pressure of many bombs to keep that modernization from happening--because Iraq, also, has been charged with a role. To provide oil while remaining an essentially backward country. A colony.
Q: Iran seems to be on the road, once again, toward modernization.
A: I think it would be wise to anticipate another strike launched against it.
Q: By that logic, terrorism could be seen as a tool to bring blame and war and fire down on the heads of these nations that are attempting to exceed their mandate, as you call it. A credible REASON to destroy their infrastructure.
A: The map must not be disturbed.
Q: What map?
A: Why, the map of nations. It spells out what functions each country will play in the globalization of the 21st century.
Q: I think we're about out of time.
A: (laughs) No, you will get on a plane and fly home. I'M out of time. Although if I were you, I'd make sure your plane is equipped with cruise missiles and a very good gunner.
Q: What will you do now, Mr. President?
A: Not much, it seems. Not much.
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