IRAQ: RUBBLE IS CLEARED AFTER BOMBINGS

(20 Dec 1998) Arabic/Nat

Iraqis in Baghdad have begun the slow process of clearing rubble left after four nights of U-S and British air strikes.

Most people welcomed the decision to stop the strikes and many Iraqis have called it a victory for their country.

But continuing his defiant show, President Saddam Hussein has announced he will halt all cooperation with United Nations weapons inspectors.

Iraqis woke on Sunday to assess the damage of a fourth and final night of air strikes by U-S and British forces.

In the capital, Baghdad, there was a feeling of relief the bombardment was over.

The country suffered hits since early Thursday in an air offensive intended to punish President Saddam Hussein's regime for obstructing the work of the U-N weapons inspectors.

Iraqi newspapers spread Saddam's defiant message to the rest of the world.

But he has vowed to continue challenging America and Britain.

The Iraqi leader said his country would now exercise a regime of complete non-cooperation with the United Nations.

Saddam has long accused the U-N of spying on behalf of Israel and the West.

The U-S and Britain had stated the intention of the air strikes was to 'diminish and degrade' Iraq's weapons capability.

The action has also been seen as an attempt to weaken Saddam's grip on his nation.

But despite the bombing, the Iraqis are still supporting their leader and appear extremely relieved the strikes are over.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"The war was imposed on us - nobody likes war."
SUPERCAPTION: Voxpop

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"We are pleased there is a ceasefire. God save Saddam Hussein."
SUPERCAPTION: Voxpop

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"We are very pleased it is over, because we are known as a country of peace and we thank God for everything."
SUPERCAPTION: Voxpop

Earlier, some Iraqis in Baghdad celebrated the end of the military attacks.

Brandishing AK47s, they danced in the street.

This defiance on the streets echoes the regime's defiance on a larger scale - which the U-S and Britain say caused these latest strikes.

Announcing the end of the action, the U-S and Britain claimed the action has been largely successful.

There were no reported casualties or losses on their side, though over 50 Iraqi civilians are said to have been killed in the bombings.

More cruise missiles were fired over the four-day bombardment than during the 1991 Gulf War.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"The American aggression on Iraq is a big violation of United Nations charter and all international laws and agreements and therefore it is a very big slap in the face that
is directed at the United Nations and especially the Security Council."
SUPERCAPTION: Khaled Al-Saidi,Head of Human Rights Committee

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"My message to Clinton the boyfriend of Monica, if he's human being and a Christian, he would not do this."
SUPERCAPTION: Vox Pop

All over Baghdad, people in shelters spent the early hours of the morning gathering their belongings and heading back to their homes which - for now - are safe.

Many bought fir trees in time for Christmas as others celebrated the beginning of the second day of the holy month Ramadan.

In hospitals throughout the capital, injured spoke of their injuries.

This little boy was caught in the crossfire.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"When I was running and trying to cross the road I noticed something hit me and I started bleeding."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, Boy

Many hospitals are full, and basic medication is in short supply.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, Doctor



SOUNDBITE: (English)




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