The CIA has determined that a tape broadcast this week purporting to be Saddam Hussein commenting on the deaths of his two sons was almost certainly authentic, a CIA official said tonight.
"We've determined it is highly likely to be him," the official told reporters.
On the audio tape, aired by Dubai-based Al Arabiya television yesterday, the ousted Iraqi leader said his sons Uday and Qusay who were killed by US forces last week died as martyrs, and he vowed America would be defeated.
"I mourn to you the deaths of Uday and Qusay and those who struggled with them. You are the honor of this nation," the taped message said.
US officials said Saddam's comments on the deaths of his sons, killed in a battle with US forces at a villa in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on July 22nd, probably persuaded more Iraqis that Uday and Qusay were dead.
"It should convince those few Iraqis who were doubtful that Uday and Qusay are most sincerely dead," a US official said.