WASHINGTON – Saddam Hussein yesterday challenged President Bush to a war of words – an international debate on live TV – but the White House rejected that as “not a serious statement.”
The Iraqi dictator proposed the debate in an interview with CBS anchor Dan Rather, the network reported.
“I am ready to conduct a direct dialogue – a debate – with your president,” Saddam said.
White House press secretary Ari Fleischer shot back: “This is not about a debate. This is about disarmament.”