Saddam challenges Bush to TV debate in interview with CBS

THE broadcast of an interview with Saddam Hussein, who challenged US President George W Bush to a televised debate, was being held up

"Portions of the interview were to air yesterday on The Early Show, but Iraqi Television held up transmission of the tapes while they were being translated," the website said.

CBS News anchor Dan Rather said on Monday night he had an exclusive three-hour interview with Saddam in which the Iraqi leader challenged President Bush to a televised debate.

Rather also said that in the interview Saddam had indicated it was not necessary to destroy Iraq's al-Samoud missiles as demanded by UN inspectors because they did not, as the UN stated, exceed the permitted range. Portions of the interview had been scheduled to air on The Early Show with the remainder later in the day on CBS Evening News and tonightOK on CBS 60 Minutes. The interview was taped on Monday in Baghdad.

Rather said Saddam envisioned a debate with Bush along the lines of US presidential campaign debates.

"I am ready to conduct a direct dialogue a debate with your president. I will say what I want and he will say what he wants," Saddam was quoted as saying.

"This will be an opportunity for him, if he's committed to war, this will be an opportunity to convince the world. This is something proposed in earnest," Saddam said. "Out of my respect for the people of the United States and my respect for the people of Iraq and the people of the world. I call for this because war is not a joke."

"As leaders," Saddam said in his invitation to Bush, "Why don't we use this opportunity?" White House spokesman Ari Fleischer rejected the debate offer, saying it was "not a serious statement."

He said the notable part of the interview was Saddam's apparent refusal to destroy the al-Samoud missiles.

Saddam also flatly denied that any of his most advanced al-Samoud missiles are in violation of UN mandates, Rather said. "Iraq is allowed to prepare proper missiles and we are committed to that," Saddam was quoted as saying. Rather said Saddam strongly indicated Iraq will resist efforts to begin the destruction of the missiles as demanded by Hans Blix.