Iraq denounces Powell's remarks at Security Council

Baghdad - Iraq on Thursday called Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech to the Security Council a "typical American show complete with stunts and special effects."

Presidential adviser Lt. Gen. Amir al-Saadi also said the United States had violated U.N. Resolution 1441 by failing to provide evidence to U.N. inspectors.

Al-Saadi said the allegations leveled by Powell were for the "general public and mainly the uniformed" so as to influence public opinion and "commit aggression on Iraq."

Al-Saadi dismissed taped conversations which Powell said were of conversations between Iraqi officials showing efforts to conceal proscribed materials from inspectors.

"From what we have heard, any third-rate intelligence outfit could produce such recordings," al-Saadi told reporters. "It is simply not true and not genuine. The reason is simple -- because we have nothing to hide. ... This is simply manufactured evidence." -- Associated Press

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