Iraq court begins Saddam verdict

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2025

Saddam Guilty; Iraqi Court Sentences Former Leader to Death

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2006 – An Iraqi court sentenced Saddam Hussein to death today for ordering the execution of 148 men in Dujail, Iraq, in 1982.
Thousands of people in Baghdad took to the streets to celebrate the verdict. The Iraqi High Tribunal sentenced two other defendants to death and four to prison and acquitted one.

In anticipation of the verdict, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had imposed a curfew in Baghdad and two Diyala and Salaheddin provinces. The two provinces are primarily Sunni and were the base of Saddam’s support during his dictatorship. Shiite and Kurdish provinces were not under curfew.

"The Saddam Hussein era is in the past now, as was the era of Hitler and Mussolini," al-Maliki said following the verdict. "We want an Iraq where all Iraqis are equal before the law," he said. "The policy of discrimination and persecution is over."

U.S. forces captured Saddam hiding in a hole in the ground in December 2003. In a written statement, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad called the verdict “an important milestone for Iraq as the country takes another major step forward in the building of a free society based on the rule of law.”

Khalilzad said the verdicts demonstrate the commitment of the Iraqi people to hold the members of the former regime accountable for their actions.

All involved in the case showed courage in proceeding with it, the ambassador said. Baathist “dead-enders” tried to intimidate members of the court, and insurgents killed three defense lawyers in the course of the trial, he noted.

“Their determination to pursue justice is a signal that the rule of law will prevail in Iraq despite the difficult situation that the country now faces,” Khalilzad said. “A former dictator feared by millions, who killed his own citizens without mercy or justice, who waged wars against neighboring countries, has been brought to trial in his own country – held accountable in a court of law with ordinary citizens bearing witness.”

The ambassador said that although Iraq may face difficult days in the coming weeks, “closing the book on Saddam and his regime is an opportunity to unite and build a better future. As the Iraqi people move forward, the United States will support them in their efforts to build a just and democratic society.”

Saddam’s case will be appealed automatically to the Appellate Chamber of the Iraqi High Tribunal. The defense has 30 days to file any motions.

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/FullNewsItem/families_of_fallen_soldiers_celebrate_saddam_verdict_with_iraqi_people/

Sunday, November 5th, 2006
Families of Fallen Soldiers Celebrate Saddam Verdict With Iraqi People!

MAF Press Release

NEWS RELEASE - November 5, 2006
CONTACT: Ray Young (916) 505-4245 [cell] or (916) 441-6197

FAMILIES OF FALLEN SOLDIERS
NOW IN IRAQ CELEBRATE SADDAM VERDICT!

“Justice has been served and we are now celebrating together
with the people of Iraq.”
(IRAQ) – A historic delegation of Gold Star Families in Iraq (families who lost a child in the war on terrorism) reacted today with jubilation at the GUILTY verdict handed down against the murderous former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein.

These American families are on a 10-day journey to Iraq to see the land where their children died in the fight against terrorism. Never before has such a coordinated delegation of Gold Star Families visited Iraq, and their arrival comes amidst news reports that Saddam Hussein had a nuclear weapons program under development before Coalition Forces toppled his regime.

The trip is organized by the nation’s largest grass-roots pro-troop organization, Move America Forward which was founded in 2004.

COMPLETE DETAILS – INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS & AUDIO FILES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE: www.MoveAmericaForward.org

The families explained that news of the verdict was especially heartening since their children gave their lives to free the people of Iraq and bring an end to Iraq’s dubious role as a state sponsor of terrorism under Hussein’s brutal rule.

“Justice has been served and we are now celebrating together with the people of Iraq,” said Gold Star Father, Joseph Williams. Williams is a resident of Vacaville, California and his son Michael died near Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Mike Anderson’s son died in the Anbar province of Iraq. He reacted to the news of the Saddam verdict by noting that it provided additional justification for the war on terrorism.

“We are doing the right thing in Iraq, and many of the people in Iraq are trying to do the right thing in building a future free of violence and terrorism,” Anderson said.

Debra Argel Bastian of Lompoc, California agreed.

“I am so happy to see that justice has prevailed over terrorism and bloodshed. Saddam Hussein killed millions of people, he sponsored terrorism and he sought to spread his tyrannical rule throughout the Middle East. Now he is being held accountable for his actions.

“I am so proud of the men and women of the United States military who have made this moment possible. And I honor the sacrifice my son gave to serve his country in the war against terrorism,” Argel concluded.

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