BBC ON THIS DAY | 23 | 1990: Outrage at Iraqi TV hostage show

1990: Outrage at Iraqi TV hostage show

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has appeared on state television with western hostages, provoking a storm of outrage.

Saddam told the group of more than a dozen mainly British people they had been detained to prevent war and said Iraq wanted to see that they were safe.

They are among hundreds of foreigners being held in Iraq since its invasion of Kuwait at the beginning of August.

However, the Iraqi leader told them they were not being held as "human shields" saying Iraq was in a position to destroy any attacker.

Saddam singled out one young British boy - named only as Stuart - and ruffled the child's hair.

Speaking through an interpreter, he asked Stuart if he was getting his milk.

The manipulation of children in that sort of way is contemptible

Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd

The Iraqi leader told the group: "We hope your presence as guests here will not be for too long.

"Your presence here, and in other places, is meant to prevent the scourge of war."

They would become heroes of peace, Saddam added.

The detainees, who looked strained and nervous, were promised tuition for their children and given permission to write to their families.

At the end of the 30-minute taped appearance, the Iraqi leader posed for photographs with the hostages before shaking each one by the hand.

A spokesman for the Gulf Support Group, set up by relatives of stranded Britons, said the interview "made all of us feel sick".

The British Foreign Secretary, Douglas Hurd, also criticised the broadcast.

Mr Hurd said: "I think the manipulation of children in that sort of way is contemptible."

The TV appearance has also been condemned by the US.

E-mail this story to a friend

	^^ back to top
	Front Page \| Years \| Themes \| Witness
	©MMVIII \| News Sources \| Privacy & Cookies Policy


	23 August



	Search ON THIS DAY by date



	Search ON THIS DAY by date