Benn:
May I broaden the question out, Mr President, to the relations between Iraq and the UN, and the prospects for peace more broadly, and I wonder whether with all its weaknesses and all the difficulties, whether you see a way in which the UN can reach that objective for the benefit of humanity?

Saddam:
The point you raised can be found in the United Nations charter. As you know Iraq is one of the founders and first signatories of the charter.

If we look at the representatives of two super powers - America and Britain - and look at their conduct and their language, we would notice that they are more motivated by war than their responsibility for peace.

And when they talk about peace all they do is accuse others they wish to destroy in the name of peace.

They claim they are looking after the interests of their people. You know as well as I do that this is not the truth.

Yes the world would respect this principle if it was genuinely applied. It's not about power but it is about right and wrong, about when we base our human relations on good, and respect this principle.

So it becomes simple to adhere to this principle because anyone who violates it will be exposed to public opinion.

Watch Tony Benn's interview with Saddam Hussein on the 4th of February 2003 on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxHtQ1__qUc