Psychic Claims $25M

A Brazilian court is considering that claim of a psychic, that the U.S. government owes him a $25M reward for information that he says he provided on the hiding place of Saddam Hussein.

Brazil's Superior Court of Justice ruled that the Brazilian justice system could rule on the matter, and told a court in the psychic's home state of Minas Gerais to judge the case.

The claimant, Jucelino da Luz, alleges that the U.S. armed forces only found Saddam based on his letters that provided his exact location.

Da Luz sent letters to the U.S. government from September 2001; describing Saddam's future hiding place, a tiny cellar at a farmhouse near Tikrit. He never received a reply.

In the event that his claim is upheld, it will be sent via diplomatic channels to the U.S. State Department.

Saddam's Trial May Be Delayed

It seems that Saddam Hussein's trial, scheduled to start on the 19th of October, may have to be delayed.

That at least is the possibility according to an unnamed British official, who said that the trial may have to be postponed until after the December elections in Iraq.

It appears that the reason for the proposed delay is not one of politics, but of safety and logistics.

The official noted that bullet proof screens and witness protection programmes had to be provided.

Quote:

"I think there are some logistical problems. There are a lot of things they haven't got round to yet."

He also noted that security forces are preparing for an upsurge in violence ahead of the elections. None of which augurs well for holding a trial.

Palace Returned To Iraqi People

The U.S. Army is returning one of Saddam Hussein's presidential complex, 136 buildings overlooking the Tigris River, to Iraq's government.

The complex is going to be turned into a 5-star hotel, so long as a civil war does not break out.

The Tikrit complex is equipped with crystal chandeliers, marble stairs and huge bathrooms with sunken baths; there is even an indoor waterfall cascading over private grottoes.

The U.S. forces occupied palaces and other Saddam regime compounds after the invasion in spring 2003.

As part of a major pr exercise, to show that the Americans are not an occupying power, the exercise of transfer was started last year.

Unfortunately, the speed of return is dependent on the level of violence in Iraq.

Trial Date Confirmed

The special tribunal, set up to try Saddam Hussein, has confirmed that the trial will commence on October 19.

However, they have added a caveat, namely that they have the right to delay the trial "when there are good reasons."

Saddam's lawyer, Khalil al-Dulaimi, has indicated that he will file for a delay when he appears in court on October 19.

He claims that he has not had enough time to prepare for the trial, and to review the evidence against his client. However, Iraqi officials say that he has been given sufficient time in accordance with Iraqi law.

Judges Chosen For Saddam's Trial

Five judges have been chosen for the trial of Saddam Hussein, due to start on the 19th of October.

Saddam's Iraqi lawyer, Khalil Dulaimi, said that Saddam's rights had been seriously violated throughout the legal process.

Quote:

"We have not been duly informed about any certain date for a trial. The defence has not been enabled to review any files of the charges or even any paper of investigation, despite the fact that we have made many and repeated requests to this effect."

However, another source said last month that Dulaimi had been given access to all prosecution documents and to his client whenever he requested.

Saddam faces the death penalty if convicted.