Voice on tape probably Saddam’s, says CIA

THE tape recording of Saddam Hussein calling for resistance against US forces is probably authentic, CIA officials said yesterday.

"The CIA's assessment, after a technical analysis of the tape, is that it is most likely his voice," said spokesman Bill Harlow. "The exact date of the recording cannot be determined."

Intelligence officials said the recording played on Gulf satellite TV station Al-Jazeera on Friday is filled with background noise which prevents their technical analysts from being more definite. The speaker claims the recording was made on June 14.

Intelligence officials said there were no references in the message that absolutely ruled out the possibility that it was pre-recorded before June 14.

Still, the conclusion that the tape is probably authentic further supports most intelligence analysts' belief that Saddam survived the war, including at least two attempts to kill him.

In the recording, the speaker purporting to be Saddam said he is still in Iraq and directing attacks on American forces there. He called on Iraqis to resist the US-led occupation.

US forces in Iraq have been targeted daily by ambushes. Dozens have died since major fighting ended on May 1.

Last week, the US put a $30 million bounty on Saddam's head and $15m on each of his sons', Uday and Qusay.