NP? Iraq's Aziz on Live TV to Kill Defection Rumors

[pynchonoid]

Iraq's Aziz on Live TV to Kill Defection Rumors 
Wed March 19, 2003 12:36 PM ET 
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq
Aziz was shown on live television on Wednesday
speaking to reporters in Baghdad, scotching rumors he
had defected or been shot trying to flee the Iraqi
capital.

"I decided to meet you ... to affirm that we are ready
to fight," Aziz told reporters.

The rumors had affected oil prices in New York trading
and also circulated in financial markets as the 8 p.m.
EST Wednesday deadline approached that President Bush
set for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his sons to
leave Iraq or face war.

<http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=UHC302LLW0S1MCRBAELCFFA?type=topNews&storyID=2408332>

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