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."
"Not to blast him into space ... until such time as Iraq grows weary of him."
"Too bad he won't see Vince Bugliosi ("Helter Skelter" case) sitting at the prosecutors table."
Who needs him? Bugliosi is very anti-Bush.
he appeared to be in a relaxed mood as he and 11 of his former lieutenants were read their rights.
I heard him and Chemicle ali were shaking like tall jello on a warm plate !
Saddam needs our prayers and mercy. This man bore a terrible burden for many years trying to make the best of a backwards nation and a mixed population that, for the most part, could not understand the tremendous efforts he made on their behalf. How sad that this majestic man should end up this way.
I'm applying for a job at The Dallas Morning News tomorrow. This is a practice answer to the first interview question.
Not bad!
Come get me. Lay your money down -- we'll let JimRob hold the stakes and take a 10% cut for FR, okay?
Heard on Fox News yesterday that the nut case Ramsey Clark is offering to defend his highness.
Especially the NYTimes which is pleading for his trial to be held AFTER the elections........http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1163504/posts
At first I chuckled. Then I figured you have hit upon a great solution. The alphabet networks wouldn't show it but if the gov set up a pay-per-view......yeah. Knock that deficit down a big notch
Thanks for the ping!
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