March 20, 2003	Thursday	Muharram 16, 1424

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BAGHDAD, March 19: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz said on Wednesday it was “impossible” for President Saddam Hussein to bow to US President George W. Bush’s ultimatum to go into exile.

“Bush said he was asking the great leader Saddam Hussein to leave his country — this, obviously, is impossible,” Mr Aziz told a news conference during which he also denied rumours he had defected and vowed victory against US-led forces poised to invade Iraq.

Mr Bush “is also asking the Iraqi people and the Iraqi armed forces to allow the entry of US forces. In other words, he wants to occupy Iraq for free, without a single shot being fired.

“This is an illusion, of course,” Mr Aziz said in a reference to Mr Bush’s ultimatum to Mr Saddam, expiring at 0100 GMT on Thursday, to leave or face an invasion by more than 250,000 US and British troops massed at Iraq’s doorstep. Mr Aziz described these troops as “mercenaries” who would be repelled by a people defending their land.

“We are confident of victory, first because ... we believe in God’s will, and secondly because we are defending (our) right, “ Mr Aziz said.

BAHRAIN’S OFFER: Bahrain’s King Hamad has offered asylum to Saddam Hussein, the official BNA news agency was quoted by AFP in Manama on Wednesday, hours before the expiry of a US ultimatum to the Iraqi president to leave Iraq or face war.

Hamad “has expressed Bahrain’s readiness to host Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should he wish to live here in all dignity and respect without this in any way undermining Iraq’s capacities and status,” said a statement issued after an emergency cabinet meeting presided over by the king.

Aziz denies defection: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister TarIq Aziz met reporters in Baghdad on Wednesday dressed in military uniform and with a pistol strapped to his belt, scotching rumours he had defected or been shot trying to flee.

“For me, as well as for ... the courageous Iraqi leadership, we were born in Iraq and we will die in Iraq — either as martyrs, which is a great honour, or naturally,” said Mr Aziz, one of the closest aides of President Saddam Hussein.—AFP / Reuters