In Baghdad, Sirens Wail as Missiles Strike



New York Times March 20 2003

John Burns







"Similar encounters punctuated the day, as Iraqis made it plain that the forthcoming American assault, whatever it might bring in terms of casualties and material damages, was, for them, the price that had to be paid to move the country beyond the years of suffering under Mr. Hussein.



This morning the waiting was over, just hours after President Bush's 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam Hussein elapsed. As it ticked down Wednesday, there was only one question that waiters, masons, vegetable sellers, physicians, government clerks and an endless roll call of other anxious Iraqis put to any foreigner:



"America, what time?" they asked. "Bush, what time?"



After nearly 30 years of living under Saddam Hussein, Iraqis in every walk of life, at every age, at every level of competence in English and in every corner of this capital had their minds transfixed by when, precisely, the clock would run down for Mr. Hussein and the totalitarian system of government he has built here on a model he took from Stalin.



When, exactly, would American bombs and missiles sent to topple him begin striking targets here?



One man lingering in the dark outside the information ministry, watching high-ranking intelligence officials talking on the sidewalk nearby, puffed nervously on his cigarette and asked a Western reporter whether the attack would come during the night, on or near Mr. Bush's deadline.



Told that it might come hours or even days later, the man shook his head and groaned. "Too much time, too much time," he said."