It seems that whilst the fate of some of Saddam Hussein's former associates does not look too bright, others are doing reasonably well for themselves.
Sadoon al-Zubaydi, the favourite translator of Saddam Hussein who conveyed Saddam's words in hundreds of meetings, is now helping to write the new Iraqi constitution.
His work on the constitution is as a result of a government gesture to disaffected Sunni Muslims.
He is critical of the current occupation, saying:
"I believe that as long as we are under occupation, everything is in question," he said recently. (The political process) may be legitimate, it may be partly legitimate or it may be totally illegitimate, but it is in question."
Al-Zubaydi is a leader of the National Dialogue Council, a group jostling for leadership of the Sunni minority, and was elected at a conference as one of 10 permitted expert advisors.
He is critical of the way that Saddam is being held:
"He should not be treated like an animal in a zoo," .
Adding, as if attending a job interview:
"I have always been known as a true professional who attended to his job. I am an intellectual and a diplomat with a wealth of experience that should not be left aside."
It's a funny old world!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
An Ominous Sign
In an ominous sign for Saddam Hussein, the first executions in Iraq since the toppling of Saddam are due to be carried out in the next few days.
Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari said:
"The president (Jalal Talabani) has signed three death sentences and the next few days will see the first executions in Kut,".
Three members of the Al-Qaeda-linked group Ansar al-Sunna were sentenced to death in May; this verdict was approved by the Supreme Council for Justice, the highest judicial authority in Iraq.
These are the first death sentences to be announced by Jaafari's government, since capital punishment was suspended by US authorities following the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.
Amnesty International have condemned the death sentences.
Quote:
"We condemned the passing of death sentences in Iraq before 2003, and we also condemn them now,".
"In those cases the charges are so serious and the evidence so clear that quite a few people from the old regime (in Iraq) will probably face the death sentence,".
Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari said:
"The president (Jalal Talabani) has signed three death sentences and the next few days will see the first executions in Kut,".
Three members of the Al-Qaeda-linked group Ansar al-Sunna were sentenced to death in May; this verdict was approved by the Supreme Council for Justice, the highest judicial authority in Iraq.
These are the first death sentences to be announced by Jaafari's government, since capital punishment was suspended by US authorities following the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.
Amnesty International have condemned the death sentences.
Quote:
"We condemned the passing of death sentences in Iraq before 2003, and we also condemn them now,".
"In those cases the charges are so serious and the evidence so clear that quite a few people from the old regime (in Iraq) will probably face the death sentence,".
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
New TV Show
A new TV show commissioned by Sky, called "Terrible Tastes of the Great Dictators", will look at Saddam Hussein's choice of decor.
The programme will feature a guided tour around his palaces, and will focus on his home furnishings including a gold-plated toilet with matching gold toilet brush.
The programme will also feature an interview with Saddam's interior designer, who was ordered to build him a palm tree made of crystal and to write a copy of the Koran in Saddam's blood.
The Sky One show will also feature the homes of Chairman Mao and Adolf Hitler.
The programme will feature a guided tour around his palaces, and will focus on his home furnishings including a gold-plated toilet with matching gold toilet brush.
The programme will also feature an interview with Saddam's interior designer, who was ordered to build him a palm tree made of crystal and to write a copy of the Koran in Saddam's blood.
The Sky One show will also feature the homes of Chairman Mao and Adolf Hitler.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Family Can't Fire Lawyers
The Iraqi tribunal, trying Saddam Hussein for war crimes, has blocked Saddam's family from firing his 2000 strong defence team.
The tribunal, not unreasonably, say that only Saddam can fire his lawyers.
Last week a lawyer acting for Saddam's eldest daughter, Raghd, said that the family had fired the team; and would build a better one.
The tribunal responded by letter, saying:
"We want to clarify some issues relating to the request to revoke all powers of attorney. We are very surprised by such unlawful acts. The exclusive right to empower any lawyer or to cancel any power of attorney is for defendant Saddam Hussein,".
Raghd wrote to the tribunal, pointing out that Saddam was not able to make such decisions freely himself.
Quote:
"The family of the president is free to choose whoever it wants to defend him and to remove whoever it wants for as long as he is denied freedom of choice,".
Maybe a statement from Saddam would clarify his wishes?
The tribunal, not unreasonably, say that only Saddam can fire his lawyers.
Last week a lawyer acting for Saddam's eldest daughter, Raghd, said that the family had fired the team; and would build a better one.
The tribunal responded by letter, saying:
"We want to clarify some issues relating to the request to revoke all powers of attorney. We are very surprised by such unlawful acts. The exclusive right to empower any lawyer or to cancel any power of attorney is for defendant Saddam Hussein,".
Raghd wrote to the tribunal, pointing out that Saddam was not able to make such decisions freely himself.
Quote:
"The family of the president is free to choose whoever it wants to defend him and to remove whoever it wants for as long as he is denied freedom of choice,".
Maybe a statement from Saddam would clarify his wishes?
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