Home>News Center>World
         
 

Saddam lashes out at US as trial resumes
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-29 07:13

A combative Saddam Hussein lashed out Monday at his treatment by American "occupiers and invaders" and lectured the chief judge about leadership as his trial resumed in a rambling and unfocused session.

Two of the seven other defendants also spoke out during the 2 1/2-hour hearing, complaining of their treatment in detention or dissatisfaction with their court-appointed counsel.

Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, who has joined the defense team as an advisor, said it was "extremely difficult" to assure fairness in the trial "because the passions in the country are at a fever pitch."

Awad Hamed al-Bandar (front L), Saddam Hussein (front R), Taha Yassin Ramadan (2nd row L), Abdullah Kazim Ruwayyid (2nd row C), Mizhar Abdullah Ruwayyid (2nd row R), Mohammed Azawi Ali (back row L), Ali Dayim Ali (back row C) and Barazan Ibrahim (back row R) sit during their trial in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone November 28, 2005.
Awad Hamed al-Bandar (front L), Saddam Hussein (front R), Taha Yassin Ramadan (2nd row L), Abdullah Kazim Ruwayyid (2nd row C), Mizhar Abdullah Ruwayyid (2nd row R), Mohammed Azawi Ali (back row L), Ali Dayim Ali (back row C) and Barazan Ibrahim (back row R) sit during their trial in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone November 28, 2005. [Reuters]
"How can you ask a witness to come in when there's a death threat?" Clark told CNN. "Unless there's protection for the defense, I don't know how the trial can go forward."

The tribunal adjourned until Dec. 5, only 10 days before the country's parliamentary elections, to give the defense time to replace lawyers who have been assassinated since the trial opened Oct. 19. Monday was the trial's second session.

The court's tolerance of vocal complaints from the defendants drew sharp criticism from Shiite politicians who contend the tribunal is trying too hard to accommodate an ousted dictator who should have already been convicted and executed.

"The chief judge should be changed and replaced by someone who is strict and courageous," said Shiite legislator Ali al-Adeeb, a senior official in Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's party.

Presiding Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin speaks to the court as the trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein resumes in Baghdad November 28, 2005.
Presiding Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin speaks to the court as the trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein resumes in Baghdad November 28, 2005. [Reuters]
Saddam, immaculately groomed and the only defendant wearing Western clothes, moved quickly to try to seize control of the proceedings at the heavily guarded Baghdad court.

Dressed in black trousers and a gray jacket with a white handkerchief in the breast pocket, the 68-year-old former president was the last defendant to enter the chamber.

While other defendants appeared frightened and exhausted, Saddam swaggered confidently to his seat, greeting people along the way with the traditional Arabic greeting, "Peace be upon the people of peace" as he cradled a copy of the Quran.
Page: 123



AIDS awareness campaign
Saddam trial resumes
Israel's Peres may quit Labour for Sharon party
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

China to keep HIV carrier cases below 1.5m by 2010

 

   
 

China rules out meeting with Koizumi

 

   
 

US, China urged to cooperate in energy

 

   
 

Virus outbreaks may change poultry raising

 

   
 

Toxins make second China city cut water

 

   
 

China cars no threat to Japan: report

 

   
  Bush maps out Iraq war strategy
   
  Iran to resume nuclear talks with EU
   
  Israel's Peres quits Labor Party to back Sharon
   
  Merkel, facing Iraq hostage crisis, charts course for Germany
   
  Syria fighting probe of assassination
   
  Fox begins last year as Mexico's president
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement