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Tariq Aziz, Former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister during the Saddam Hussein regime, sits in front of an Iraqi judge during his initial interview at an undisclosed location in Baghdad July 1.(AFP/POOL/File/Karen Ballard)

Taha Yassin Ramadan, former vice President and close presidential aid during the regime of the deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, sits in front of an Iraqi judge July 1.(AFP/POOL/File/Karen Ballard)

In this image cleared by the US military, Abid Hamid Mahmoud al-Tikriti, presidential secretary; appears in a courtroom at Camp Victory, a former Saddam palace on the outskirts of Baghdad, Thursday, July 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Karen Ballard/Pool)

In this image cleared by the US military, Sabir Abdul Aziz Al-Douri; governor of Baghdad, appears in a courtroom at Camp Victory, a former Saddam palace on the outskirts of Baghdad, Thursday, July 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Karen Ballard/Pool)

In this image cleared by the US military, Watban Ibrahim al-Hasan al-Tikriti; presidential adviser and Saddam's half brother, appears in a courtroom at Camp Victory, a former Saddam palace on the outskirts of Baghdad, Thursday, July 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Karen Ballard/Pool)

Former Iraqi Defense Minister Sultan Hashim Ahmad appears before an Iraqi tribunal, July 1, 2004 in Baghdad. The arraignment was the first step towards a trial which could help Iraq come to terms with 35 years of Baath party brutality, though it may not start for many months. Hearings began for 11 of Saddam Hussein's former aides, including former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, Saddam's half-brothers and Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as 'Chemical Ali' for his alleged role in using poison gas on Kurds and Iranians. Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge on Thursday, questioning his authority and saying the 'real criminal' was U.S. President George W. Bush. REUTERS/Karen Ballard/POOL

Kamal Mustafa al-Tikriti, former commander of Iraq's elite Republican Guards, appears before an Iraqi tribunal July 1, 2004. The arraignment was the first step towards a trial which could help Iraq come to terms with 35 years of Baath party brutality, though it may not start for many months. Hearings began for 11 of Saddam Hussein's former aides, including former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, Saddam's half-brothers and Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as 'Chemical Ali' for his alleged role in using poison gas on Kurds and Iranians. Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge on Thursday, questioning his authority and saying the 'real criminal' was U.S. President George W. Bush. REUTERS/Karen Ballard/POOL

Saddam Hussein's half-brother and adviser Barzan Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti appears before an Iraqi tribunal July 1, 2004. Downcast but defiant, Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge on Thursday, questioning his authority and saying the 'real criminal' was President Bush. Similar hearings were held later for 11 of his former aides, including former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, Saddam's half-brothers and Hassan Ali al-Majid, known as 'Chemical Ali' for his alleged role in using poison gas on Kurds and Iranians. REUTERS/Karen Ballard-Pool

Former Baath party regional commander Aziz Salih Numan appears before an Iraqi tribunal July 1, 2004. The arraignment was the first step towards a trial which could help Iraq come to terms with 35 years of Baath party brutality, though it may not start for many months. Hearings began for 11 of Saddam Hussein's former aides, including former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, Saddam's half-brothers and Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as 'Chemical Ali' for his alleged role in using poison gas on Kurds and Iranians. Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge on Thursday, questioning his authority and saying the 'real criminal' was U.S. President George W. Bush . REUTERS/Karen Ballard-Pool

Mohammed Hamza al-Zubaidi, a former member of Iraq's decision-making Revolutionary Command Council, appears before an Iraqi tribunal July 1, 2004. The arraignment was the first step towards a trial which could help Iraq come to terms with 35 years of Baath party brutality, though it may not start for many months. Hearings began for 11 of Saddam Hussein's former aides, including former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, Saddam's half-brothers and Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as 'Chemical Ali' for his alleged role in using poison gas on Kurds and Iranians. Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge on Thursday, questioning his authority and saying the 'real criminal' was U.S. President George W. Bush. REUTERS/Karen Ballard/POOL

In this image cleared by the US military, Ali Hasan al-Majid, also known as Chemical Ali, appears in a courtroom at Camp Victory, a former Saddam palace on the outskirts of Baghdad, Thursday, July 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Karen Ballard/Pool)

US newspapers were replete with coverage of Saddam Hussein's appearance in court, generally seen as 'defiant' and utterly unrepentant.(AFP/HO/File)