Dapper Anchor Speaks to World for Iraqi Chief
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s voice to the world in his war of words with President Bush is a dapper television anchorman named Miqdad Muradi.
In the last two weeks, while Hussein has kept a low profile in the escalating crisis triggered by his Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait, Muradi has read a string of statements from the president on Iraq’s state-run network.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Aug. 25, 1990 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday August 25, 1990 Home Edition Part A Page 2 Column 1 National Desk 2 inches; 45 words Type of Material: Correction
Hussein spokesman--An unidentified interpreter pictured Friday with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein during a meeting with Western hostages was erroneously identified as Miqdad Muradi. The photo appeared with a story about Muradi, a television anchorman who has read Hussein’s recent statements on Iraqi television.
These broadcasts, carried around the globe by Cable News Network, have made the Iraqi something of a TV star. Muradi, who bears a striking resemblance to Hussein, is always impeccably dressed in a dark suit and sober tie.
Muradi, who is in his mid-40s, shows no sign of strain when he reads Hussein’s often rambling statements, calling Bush “a liar” or announcing that thousands of Americans and Britons held by Iraq are “guests” of his country.
Muradi has been chief announcer on the Iraqi network for several years.
During the 1980-88 war against Iran, he frequently read important statements.
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