http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,83580,00.html
Iraqis — With American Help — Topple Statue of Saddam in Baghdad
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq — In a scene of triumph and jubilation televised live throughout the world, Iraqi citizens in the heart of Baghdad -- with help from a U.S. tank -- toppled a huge statue of Saddam Hussein Wednesday and began dancing on it when it fell to the ground.
It was a historic moment: the people of Iraq conveying to the world that they are finally free of the brutal dictator who has maintained a vice grip on them for nearly 30 years.
A group of Iraqi men later dragged the head of the statue down the street, taking turns riding on it.
Earlier in the day, American tanks drove straight into the center of Baghdad, to Firdos Square, and Iraqi citizens poured into the street, some taking their shirts off and waving them around in celebration.
Before the statue came down, some Iraqi men climbed up on to the huge pedestal and tied a rope around Saddam's neck.
One man took a sledgehammer to the statue's base, then handed it off to others so everyone could take a swing.
"I'm 49, but I never lived a single day," said Yusuf Abed Kazim, a Baghdad imam who was pounding the statue's pedestal. "Only now will I start living. That Saddam Hussein is a murderer and a criminal."
Other Iraqis picked flowers from a nearby garden and handing them to Marines.
Before an American tank yanked the statue down, U.S. troops -- with the aid of an Iraqi man -- put an American flag over the statue's face, then replaced it with an Iraqi flag. Both were taken down before the statue was toppled.
U.S. troops walked around the square, checking rooftops for snipers, but they met little to no resistance in that part of the city, east of the Tigris River.
"He's [Saddam] kept us on our toes but we're ready to be finished and go home," one Marine told Sky News.
One Iraqi in the square was asked by Sky News reporter David Chater what the coalition presence means for him.
"It's safety for me ... they don't hurt anyone," he said. "All the people here is happy -- I see happy."
Marines were greeted by people cheering and waving white flags.
Civilians gestured to the Americans with V-for-victory signs. "We were nearly mobbed by people trying to shake our hands," said Maj. Andy Milburn of the 7th Marines.
Iraqis — With American Help — Topple Statue of Saddam in Baghdad
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq — In a scene of triumph and jubilation televised live throughout the world, Iraqi citizens in the heart of Baghdad -- with help from a U.S. tank -- toppled a huge statue of Saddam Hussein Wednesday and began dancing on it when it fell to the ground.
It was a historic moment: the people of Iraq conveying to the world that they are finally free of the brutal dictator who has maintained a vice grip on them for nearly 30 years.
A group of Iraqi men later dragged the head of the statue down the street, taking turns riding on it.
Earlier in the day, American tanks drove straight into the center of Baghdad, to Firdos Square, and Iraqi citizens poured into the street, some taking their shirts off and waving them around in celebration.
Before the statue came down, some Iraqi men climbed up on to the huge pedestal and tied a rope around Saddam's neck.
One man took a sledgehammer to the statue's base, then handed it off to others so everyone could take a swing.
"I'm 49, but I never lived a single day," said Yusuf Abed Kazim, a Baghdad imam who was pounding the statue's pedestal. "Only now will I start living. That Saddam Hussein is a murderer and a criminal."
Other Iraqis picked flowers from a nearby garden and handing them to Marines.
Before an American tank yanked the statue down, U.S. troops -- with the aid of an Iraqi man -- put an American flag over the statue's face, then replaced it with an Iraqi flag. Both were taken down before the statue was toppled.
U.S. troops walked around the square, checking rooftops for snipers, but they met little to no resistance in that part of the city, east of the Tigris River.
"He's [Saddam] kept us on our toes but we're ready to be finished and go home," one Marine told Sky News.
One Iraqi in the square was asked by Sky News reporter David Chater what the coalition presence means for him.
"It's safety for me ... they don't hurt anyone," he said. "All the people here is happy -- I see happy."
Marines were greeted by people cheering and waving white flags.
Civilians gestured to the Americans with V-for-victory signs. "We were nearly mobbed by people trying to shake our hands," said Maj. Andy Milburn of the 7th Marines.
