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09-20-2009, 03:46 AM
Iraqi shoe thrower released
Iraqi shoe-thrower released in Baghdad Link to this audio
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George Bush has marked his release from jail by angrily defending his actions as a revenge against was he described as actions of a "war criminal".
Muntazer al-Zaidi was given a rapturous welcome by his supporters and family, who sacrificed six sheep to mark his release and hung laurels of flowers around his neck.
Wearing an Iraqi flag, Zaidi said the infamous and widely broadcast incident last December was retribution for the atrocities of the US occupation, which he had witnessed as a journalist.
Speaking through a translator at the headquarters of his employers, the al-Baghdadiya television station, he said he had "vowed to the victims" that he would take revenge.
He added: "Today I am free again, but my home is still a prison."
He described the press conference with George Bush as "an opportunity I could not waste".
Zaidi said "throwing shoes against the war criminal Bush" was his answer to the cries of those bereaved by the conflict.
"The criminal murderer is standing here expect us to throw flowers at him. This was my flower to the occupier."
Zaidi also talked of seeing "many many massacres in every inch of our homeland" and of "witnessing the screams of victims and the cries of bereaved women".
His brother Uday told Reuters: "Thanks be to God that Muntazer has seen the light of day. I wish Bush could see our happiness. When President Bush looks back and turns the pages of his life, he will see the shoes of Muntazer al-Zaidi on every page."
Zaidi's family had been told not to hold a highly visible public celebration to mark his release. Nine months on, the shoe-throwing incident remains highly embarrassing to the prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who seems determined not to allow the Iraqi journalist who humbled George Bush to be feted with hero status.
But in Zaidi's one-bedroom apartment in the riverside suburb of Rashid, family members were dancing and preparing food, even through it is Ramadan, the holy month during which Muslims are forbidden from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
In contrast to yesterday, Zaidi's three brothers were remaining tight-lipped about his next move. His employers were anticipating him returning to work. However it seems most likely that Zaidi will travel to Greece to address health concerns. He also has a standing invite from the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, as well as the offer of citizenship and $100,000 from the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez.
Zaidi told his brothers from prison during the past few days that he wants to continue working with Iraq's underclass as well as those disadvantaged by the six-year occupation.
But his life is sure to be transformed dramatically. His supporters and regimes across the Middle East are determined to hail Zaidi as a David and Goliath figure who finally did what leaders in the region had been too cowed to do.
Zaidi's three brothers had said that they feared for his life. A brand new four-bedroom house bought and furnished for him by his employers is set to remain empty until Zaidi's security can be assured.
He is due to give a short press conference at the al-Baghdadiya channel this morning before leaving for his apartment.
Iraqi shoe-thrower released in Baghdad Link to this audio
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George Bush has marked his release from jail by angrily defending his actions as a revenge against was he described as actions of a "war criminal".
Muntazer al-Zaidi was given a rapturous welcome by his supporters and family, who sacrificed six sheep to mark his release and hung laurels of flowers around his neck.
Wearing an Iraqi flag, Zaidi said the infamous and widely broadcast incident last December was retribution for the atrocities of the US occupation, which he had witnessed as a journalist.
Speaking through a translator at the headquarters of his employers, the al-Baghdadiya television station, he said he had "vowed to the victims" that he would take revenge.
He added: "Today I am free again, but my home is still a prison."
He described the press conference with George Bush as "an opportunity I could not waste".
Zaidi said "throwing shoes against the war criminal Bush" was his answer to the cries of those bereaved by the conflict.
"The criminal murderer is standing here expect us to throw flowers at him. This was my flower to the occupier."
Zaidi also talked of seeing "many many massacres in every inch of our homeland" and of "witnessing the screams of victims and the cries of bereaved women".
His brother Uday told Reuters: "Thanks be to God that Muntazer has seen the light of day. I wish Bush could see our happiness. When President Bush looks back and turns the pages of his life, he will see the shoes of Muntazer al-Zaidi on every page."
Zaidi's family had been told not to hold a highly visible public celebration to mark his release. Nine months on, the shoe-throwing incident remains highly embarrassing to the prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who seems determined not to allow the Iraqi journalist who humbled George Bush to be feted with hero status.
But in Zaidi's one-bedroom apartment in the riverside suburb of Rashid, family members were dancing and preparing food, even through it is Ramadan, the holy month during which Muslims are forbidden from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
In contrast to yesterday, Zaidi's three brothers were remaining tight-lipped about his next move. His employers were anticipating him returning to work. However it seems most likely that Zaidi will travel to Greece to address health concerns. He also has a standing invite from the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, as well as the offer of citizenship and $100,000 from the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez.
Zaidi told his brothers from prison during the past few days that he wants to continue working with Iraq's underclass as well as those disadvantaged by the six-year occupation.
But his life is sure to be transformed dramatically. His supporters and regimes across the Middle East are determined to hail Zaidi as a David and Goliath figure who finally did what leaders in the region had been too cowed to do.
Zaidi's three brothers had said that they feared for his life. A brand new four-bedroom house bought and furnished for him by his employers is set to remain empty until Zaidi's security can be assured.
He is due to give a short press conference at the al-Baghdadiya channel this morning before leaving for his apartment.