Good point. Perhaps he made that statement to help him in the appeal.
Probably so...
But who knows?
I'm sure there's more to this, especially, after Saddam left the courtroom yelling at the judge.
I wouldn't think he'd have a change of heart THAT quick.
It can only help, even if he is doing it only to help his own appeal (probably). If the people of his hometown, Anbar province, and the Sunnis in general heed the statement, then Iraq will be more peaceful.