President Saddam Hussein vowed Wednesday to "break the neck" of the United States, saying Washington would pay a high price if it attacked Iraq. In Washington, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld gave lawmakers "concrete evidence" linking Iraq to the al-Qaeda terror network, a Representative said. "If they believe their illusion (and attack Iraq), by God America will be hurt. It is not in the interest of American people to suffer such harm on it (U.S.), on its reputation and on its economy around the globe," Saddam was shown on Iraqi state television as telling a group of military officers.

"If they commit the evil aggression that they are talking about, their condition ... would be much worse than it is now whether in their reputation or the material consequences," he said.

"When we talk to the Americans in this way, we are not afraid of evil, but we are trying to avoid it, to drive it away, but when evil is determined, God willing, we break its neck in Iraq."

Saddam made no reference to a speech by President Bush in which he threatened to use the full force of the U.S. military if Iraq did not disarm.

Rumsfeld, Powell Give Lawmakers "concrete evidence" Linking Iraq to al-Qaeda

"The connection to terrorist networks and al-Qaeda are becoming more definite," said Representative Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat present at the closed-door briefing on Iraq.

"They have concrete evidence and they will be making (that case) to the people," she told reporters.

Some 100 Representatives attended the question-and-answer session on the House floor, one day after President George W. Bush vowed to use the "full force" of US might in any way with Iraq.

"We learned an enormous amount in there," said Representative Ray LaHood, a Republican who serves on the House Select Intelligence committee. He told reporters that Powell and Rumsfeld had laid out a list of information that lawmakers had not heard before.

"There is a plan in place for regime change," he said.

In a bid to overcome opposition to military action against Iraq, Bush said in his State of the Union address Tuesday that Powell would present the UN Security Council with new evidence of Iraqi defiance of UN disarmament demands on February 5.

Senior US officials said Powell would lay out previously undisclosed and classified intelligence at a special UN meeting.

PHOTO CAPTION

Osama bin Laden and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein are seen in these undated file photos. In making his case for possible war with Iraq, U.S. President George W. Bush warned such an alliance may spring up if America fails to act. (AP Photo)
- Jan 29 6:07