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March 20
Air strikes on Baghdad began at dawn
2003: US launches missiles against Saddam
England have
American missiles have hit the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, signalling the start
of the US-led campaign to topple Saddam Hussein.
President George Bush delivered a live television address shortly after the
bombings began, vowing to "disarm Iraq and to free its people".
The attack was ordered two hours after a final 48-hour deadline expired for
Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq.
US sources say five key members of the Iraqi regime, including the Iraqi
leader himself, were targeted in the first attacks.
The Iraqis say some non-military targets have been hit and a number of
civilians wounded in Doura, a southern suburb of the capital.
The air strikes began at 0534 local time (0234 GMT). A short time later,
Iraqi TV broadcast what it said was a live speech by Saddam Hussein.
In it he said: "I don"t need to remind you what you should do to defend our
country.
"Let the unbelievers go to hell, you will be victorious, Iraqi people."
President Bush played down hopes of an early victory.
In his broadcast to the American people he warned the campaign "could be
longer and more difficult than some predict".
He continued: "This will not be a campaign of half measures and we will
accept no outcome but victory."
"The dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass
through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our
freedom. We will bring freedom to others."
At 2200 GMT British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a live televised address
to the nation.
He confirmed British troops were in action in Iraq. He said their purpose
was to remove Saddam Hussein and disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.
The attack has drawn international condemnation and brought demonstrators
onto the streets in several countries.
Attempts to get a United Nations Security Council resolution backing a
military campaign in Iraq were abandoned earlier in the week when it became
clear the US still faced an uphill battle to get the majority it needed.
The French had been pushing for more time to allow Iraq to disarm and today
President Jacques Chirac of France expressed regret at the launch of hostilities
without UN backing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the military action was entirely
unjustified, while China said the strike violated the United Nations
charter.
Anti-war demonstrations have taken place in cities in Greece, Egypt,
Australia and Indonesia.
Britain is hosting the World Cup later this year
1966: Football"s World Cup stolen
Artificially 1969:
The The football World Cup has been stolen while on exhibition at Central
Hall in Westminster, London.
The ?0,000 solid gold Jules Rimet trophy disappeared while a church service
was taking place in another part of the building.
Thieves removed the cup from the "Sport with Stamps" display at the Stampex
exhibition, but stamps worth ?m were left behind.
At least two guards were in the hall at the time of the theft. Alsa-Guard,
the security firm at the exhibition, was not available for comment.
Delegates from current cup-holders Brazil left the cup in custody of the
Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) last week.
The trophy was to be the centre-piece of the World Cup tournament being
hosted by Britain later this year.
Vice-chairman of the Football Association Council, Jack Stewart, was
reluctant to accept blame for the trophy"s disappearance.
But he said: "We are responsible for it in the end because we are the
organizing association."
Detectives and forensics experts are investigating the break-in and have
appealed for anyone who was in Central Hall to contact Scotland Yard.
Police say a suspicious-looking man was seen in the building at the time of
the theft. He is described as being in his early 30s, of average height with
thin lips, greased black hair and a possible scar on his face.
The Jules Rimet trophy is named after a French lawyer who was a president
of FIFA and initiated the World Cup competition in 1929.
Brazil have been holders of the Cup for the last eight years, after winning
both the 1958 and 1962 competitions.
Vocabulary:
peril : Imminent danger(危险) |
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发表于 2016-7-9 23:20:54