Posted on 06/30/2004 6:22:26 PM PDT by blam
Relaxed Saddam 'cannot wait' for hearing
By Jack Fairweather in Baghdad
(Filed: 01/07/2004)
Saddam Hussein wished onlookers good morning and tried to fire off questions to the judge when he was handed over to Iraqi legal custody yesterday.
During a closed ceremony at an American military base, he appeared to be in a relaxed mood as he and 11 of his former lieutenants were read their rights.
"He said good morning. He wanted to talk about what would happen," said Salem Chalabi, the American-educated lawyer who set up the special tribunal that will try the high-ranking Ba'athists. "We had to ask him to wait."
Saddam was wearing Arab dress and no longer had a beard at the hearing, which lasted for only a couple of minutes. The charges will be read out to him and his lieutenants during a televised court session today.
Some of Saddam's aides were nervous or hostile during the hearing, according to witnesses. Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali" for his use of poison gas against Kurdish villagers, was said to be shaking. "Some of them looked very worried," said Mr Chalabi.
The British Government handed over Ali in defiance of its usual policy of demanding that the death penalty will not be imposed. Members of the interim government have indicated that Saddam, at least, may face capital punishment if found guilty of crimes against humanity.
Downing Street said yesterday that Britain had informed the new Iraqi government of its opposition to imposing the death penalty on Saddam but recognised Iraq's right to decide how its judicial system should operate.
Saddam's trial is expected to start in several months' time and Mr Chalabi fears his biggest challenge will be curbing the former dictator's tongue.
"Saddam is going to want to use the tribunal as a platform for his political views," Mr Chalabi said. "But we're not going to let him. We're going to make him focus on the very specific charges against him."
When will they announce the shredder is all warmed up?
saddam was wearing a dress hahaha.
he is innocent! FREE SADDAM
For Peace in the Mid-East, You must Release!
Just like Nuremberg.
The Nazi's wanted to use a "Tu quoque (you too)" defense. They were not allowed.
Coming to the bumper of a freaking liberal near you!
I have this stinking feeling this trial is going to be a huge FIASCO!
Since it will be televised, we should be able to see something tonight on him - I want to see which dress he chooses...like JF'nK and his ties, maybe he will choose pink...
Hopefully, the next hearing will be just as short.....
"We, the people of Iraq, have heard your defense. Tomorrow. Dawn. Nearest large tree. See you there.
LVM
ya, no way this is going to end the way we would wish...
No, the Iraqis are determined and they don't have a wimpy legal system like ours.
It makes me sick these demons are treated with any type of respect. Their victims were in the thousands in number and most of them were mutilated.
If I were a lower ranking officer and had happened to just stumble onto Saddam. I would have shipped him to Najaf the next day to stand trial in a Shiite court.
Ali the butcher would have been tried in the Kudish village where he acted so bravely with his skull and bones howitzer shells.
I believe due process is only deserved to those of the human species. These are animals. Put them down quickly like you would a rabid dog.
Today's hearing wasn't televised; tomorrow's is, I think.
Nam Vet
could even a stoner trust fund hippie college student liberal wear a shirt that says "free saddam"??? normally i wouldnt put anything past these people but I dont know if they would even support that.
That and I've read it actually cost more to have these low life appeal death sentences than live in prison to the day they die.
But this guy has wayyyy crossed the line. He's commited genocide! There is no way he fits into the definition of humanity.
We don't need him. We don't want him. He should be erased. Most people would understand why.
Strange. Earlier today I read that Saddam was highly agitated and nervous during the proceedings.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.