Saddam Hussein fails to enlighten captors, readying for trial: Powell

Yahoo News ^ | 1/1/6/04

[Libloather]

Saddam fails to enlighten captors, readying for trial: Powell
Fri Jan 16,11:39 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - Saddam Hussein has failed to provide his US captors with much useful information and is preparing to justify his actions as Iraqi leader at any trial he might face, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said.

"He hasn't told us a great deal", Powell told Britain's Sky News over a month after Saddam's capture as he cowered in a hole in the ground near his home town of Tikrit in northern Iraq (news - web sites) on December 13.

"He's speaking but he hasn't given us a great deal of information or intelligence that's useful yet," he said.

The former Iraqi leader is aware of his predicament and readying himself for the prospect of a trial, which officials have said could take place in Iraq within six months, Powell said.

"He's someone who knows the trouble he's in, he knows he's going to stand trial," he said.

"I think he's trying to protect himself and justify his despicable actions during the time that he was the dictator of Iraq," he added.

Powell's comments came a week after the Pentagon declared Saddam an enemy prisoner of war, ending uncertainty and confusion as to the legal status of the deposed Iraqi leader.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has put in a request to visit Saddam, who is entitled to such visits under the Geneva Convention.

[Libloather]

The stolen $40 billion should be enough retainer for Johnnie Cochran...

[af_vet_1981]

I hope SOS Powell is lying. Otherwise there is no point in him saying this.

[WorkingClassFilth]

"He's speaking but he hasn't given us a great deal of information or intelligence that's useful yet," he said."

Crush one of his testicles. That ought to net them something useful when the hammer is poised over the second one.

[goodnesswins]

Powell says "Here's a message to all Saddam lovers.....he ain't talking" (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA) "So, you just stay where you've been, and with the plans he had for you, okay?"

Powell REAL MESSAGE: "We're coming to get you, because he's really told us some GREAT stuff, but we sure as heck are not going to advertise it to the world."

[Doc On The Bay]

Considering the Death & Torture this MONSTER Ordered/Participated In, his "Ongoing Silence" is a "Contemptuous Repudiation" of US--His "Captors!!"

Considering He has Caused the Death of Tens of Thousands, & Threatens the "Torture & Death" of (Possibly) Millions More,--He is a "Special Case!"

This Psychopath NEEDS TO BE "Questioned Down to the Molecular Level."

Neither He--or His "Associates"--- should EVER BE allowed to participate in "Human Discourse" again!

[af_vet_1981]

If they have not applied drugs and sophisticated interrogation techniques to him, given the WMD threat to our country, then all responsible for that decision should be fired or impeached.

[Steel Wolf]

By George I do believe you've got it. We gain nothing by saying that Saddam ain't talking, except to lull people into a false sense of security. Bad people. Baathist people. Better for them to not know what is said and what isn't.

[skinkinthegrass]

The stolen $40 billion should be enough retainer for Johnnie Cochran...

...just as a small retainer..then Saddam, will have to dip into his secret swiss bank accounts and bring the REAL $$$$$...I say, "Let him join his sons, Alive."...like so many of his victims.

I doubt the French and Russians would really permit a public trial...and let Saddam openly reveal his friends/weapons who broke the embargo. :|

[TheDon]

One way or the other, Saddam will not be around to see 2005. You can take that to the bank.

[Williams]

It is absolutely ridiculous to believe that Sadaam Hussein was going to tell us anything. He indeed realizes he is going to be tried, in fact everyone has been howling about putting him to death. If we don't want to make a deal with him, he has zero incentive to incriminate himself. That's reality. So either decide to offer him his life in a comfortable prison, or move on.

[fooman]

OH, but there are many ways to die!

[fooman]

OH, but there are many ways to die!

[Williams]

It's fun to say but no one is going to torture him to death, either.

[Malesherbes]

"He's speaking but he's not giving us much information." Sounds like a Democrat politician.

[11B3]

The execution of Saddam will bring out all of the information that is missing from his minions. Right now they are still holding out hope that Saddam can still swing a deal and stay alive, to continue leading from prison. Just as lots more info came out after his capture, his death will be a watershed of volunteering by those who are still fearful of him.

He'll be dead within 6 months.

[af_vet_1981]

It is absolutely ridiculous to believe that Sadaam Hussein was going to tell us anything.

All you have to do is drug him and he will tell you everything. Either millions of lives were at risk or they were not. This is not a game.

[XHogPilot]

Crush one of his testicles. That ought to net them something useful when the hammer is poised over the second one.

You have learned nothing, Comrade WorkingClassFilth. Electrocution of said anatomy causes similar pain. Yet, the anatomy remains intact, waiting for another test of "To Tell the Truth". The objective is not to destroy the body, not to destroy the mind, but to destroy the will to resist.

Criminal 19

[WorkingClassFilth]

I stand corrected.

What can you say when you work with tools everyday and everything yields to the blow, a cut or torque?

Seriously, I can't believe they haven't reduced this guy to mush. Sleep deprivation (as anyone with kids can attest) alone would re-arrange Saddams head map in short order. Nicotine starvation, temperature extremes, diet, etc., etc., etc. All work wonders.

If I spend a weekend with the in-laws in the their drafty house up north, discuss religion, eat boiled trunips and peas, sleep like a bird on a sagging bed and have NO access to beer, well, believe me, going back home to normalcy is worth anything asked of me.

[XHogPilot]

Seriously, I can't believe they haven't reduced this guy to mush. Sleep deprivation (as anyone with kids can attest) alone would re-arrange Saddams head map in short order...

I agree. Overt methods might not be used for fear of negative press. (Didn't we start this discussion by commenting on losing ones balls?) Surely, there are covert methods, that could/are being used; sleep deprivation, drugs, etc. In the end, we will probably never know. Maybe they were done, and Powell is just providing a cover.

[expatpat]

A suggestion that he may get unsupervised interviews with certain Iraqi citizens might make him more articulate.