Iraq's presidency council issued a law yesterday that will allow thousands of Saddam Hussein-era officials to return to government jobs.
The new law was passed by parliament on January 12. However, it was issued without the signature of the Sunni vice president, and the presidency council cited reservations and plans to seek changes in the bill.
The question is will the former officials feel safe enough to return to their old jobs?
Showing posts with label Baath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baath. Show all posts
Monday, February 04, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Baathists Back
Saddam Hussein's old chums in Baathist party have been brought back in from the political wilderness. The Iraqi Parliament has passed a bill to allow some former officials from the party to apply for government positions.
This measure, if approved by the presidential council, will allow thousands of low-level Baath Party members barred from office after the 2003 US invasion to be reinstated. The Bush Administration had urged the Iraqi Government to pass such a measure. This is rather ironic, as it was the Bush administration that barred the Baath party officials from holding office in the first place; thus pushing Iraq further to the brink of collapse.
President Bush, who is currently in the Middle East trying to resolve all issues (the Palestinian question, confronting Iran and democratising Pakistan) before he leaves office, said that the vote was "an important step toward reconciliation".
The world shall watch his "progress" with interest.
This measure, if approved by the presidential council, will allow thousands of low-level Baath Party members barred from office after the 2003 US invasion to be reinstated. The Bush Administration had urged the Iraqi Government to pass such a measure. This is rather ironic, as it was the Bush administration that barred the Baath party officials from holding office in the first place; thus pushing Iraq further to the brink of collapse.
President Bush, who is currently in the Middle East trying to resolve all issues (the Palestinian question, confronting Iran and democratising Pakistan) before he leaves office, said that the vote was "an important step toward reconciliation".
The world shall watch his "progress" with interest.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
De Baathification Cancelled
Several years too late, the powers that be in Iraq have finally woken up to the fact that one of the worst mistakes post "regime change" was the "De Baathification" of the country.
Iraq's top political leaders have announced an agreement to release thousands of prisoners, being held without charge (wasn't the invasion meant to do away with such practices?), and to reform a law that has kept thousands of members of Saddam Hussein's political party out of government jobs.
"De-Baathification" was one of the worst thought through (if "thought" was ever applied in this case) "initiatives" that the US imposed upon Iraq post invasion. It resulted in the total meltdown of the political, military, police and civil service infrastructure. The reason being that the Baathists, like it or not, were the ones who held the key positions and knew how to run the country.
It is unlikely that this last minute gesture will be enough to secure the political stability/future of Iraq. Last week a US national intelligence report predicted that "the Iraqi Government will become more precarious over the next six to 12 months"; in other words it will collapse.
What will Shrub do then?
Iraq's top political leaders have announced an agreement to release thousands of prisoners, being held without charge (wasn't the invasion meant to do away with such practices?), and to reform a law that has kept thousands of members of Saddam Hussein's political party out of government jobs.
"De-Baathification" was one of the worst thought through (if "thought" was ever applied in this case) "initiatives" that the US imposed upon Iraq post invasion. It resulted in the total meltdown of the political, military, police and civil service infrastructure. The reason being that the Baathists, like it or not, were the ones who held the key positions and knew how to run the country.
It is unlikely that this last minute gesture will be enough to secure the political stability/future of Iraq. Last week a US national intelligence report predicted that "the Iraqi Government will become more precarious over the next six to 12 months"; in other words it will collapse.
What will Shrub do then?
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Re Baathification
Most commentators agree that one of the worst mistakes made, post Iraq invasion, by the US and interim Iraq administration was the "de Baathification law" which removed anyone with Baath party connections from positions of responsibility.
This naive and foolish ruling resulted in utter chaos, as there was no one left in positions of responsibility with the ability or understanding to run organisations and government ministries effectively.
Finally someone has seen come commonsense, and Iraq's prime minister and president will introduce legislation to let former members of the Baath party to resume their jobs in the government.
Whether this is measure is enough to pull Iraq out of its engulfing chaos remains to be seen.
This naive and foolish ruling resulted in utter chaos, as there was no one left in positions of responsibility with the ability or understanding to run organisations and government ministries effectively.
Finally someone has seen come commonsense, and Iraq's prime minister and president will introduce legislation to let former members of the Baath party to resume their jobs in the government.
Whether this is measure is enough to pull Iraq out of its engulfing chaos remains to be seen.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Saddam's Aide Dies
Saadoun Hammadi, a Shiite official in Saddam Hussein's government and a senior Iraq Baath Party leader, has died in a hospital in Germany.
Hammadi, 77, was released from a prison camp in Iraq in February 2004 after being held by American troops for nine months.
He was believed to have had leukemia.
Hammadi, 77, was released from a prison camp in Iraq in February 2004 after being held by American troops for nine months.
He was believed to have had leukemia.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Saddam's Judge Seeks Asylum in The UK
Raouf Abdul Rahman, the judge who sentenced Saddam Hussein to death, has asked for political asylum in Britain.
Raouf Abdul Rahman and his family have received death threats from insurgents linked to the former ruling Ba'ath Party.
The judge, a Kurd, took control of Saddam's trial in Baghdad last year to end a series of interruptions by defendants and political speeches which had reduced the legal process to chaos and extended the hearing by months.
He also told Saddam, at one stage, to remember that he was a prisoner on trial for his life and no longer the dictator of Iraq.
Iraq is spiralling out of control.
Raouf Abdul Rahman and his family have received death threats from insurgents linked to the former ruling Ba'ath Party.
The judge, a Kurd, took control of Saddam's trial in Baghdad last year to end a series of interruptions by defendants and political speeches which had reduced the legal process to chaos and extended the hearing by months.
He also told Saddam, at one stage, to remember that he was a prisoner on trial for his life and no longer the dictator of Iraq.
Iraq is spiralling out of control.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Saddam Hussein Sentenced To Hang
Saddam Hussein has been convicted of crimes against humanity, and sentenced to death by hanging.
He was found guilty over his role in the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail in 1982.
His brother Barzan al-Tikriti was also sentenced to death, along with Iraq's former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bander
Former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan got life in jail and three others received 15 year prison terms.
Another co-defendant, Baath party official Mohammed Azawi Ali, was acquitted.
Saddam shouted out "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest) and "Long live Iraq. Long live the Iraqi people!" after the judge announced the verdict.
He has the option to appeal the sentence.
In the meantime the long suffering people of Iraq wait to see if this verdict leads to a rise in violence, as predicted by some.
In the USA President Bush faces midterms on the 7th of November, it is predicted that the Republican party will be heavily defeated as voters vent their spleens on Bush for the failure of the Iraq mission. The voters will also bring Bush to account for the theft of $800M, designated to help rebuild Iraq, by key Iraqi officials from under the noses of the US administration.
Mission accomplished!
He was found guilty over his role in the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail in 1982.
His brother Barzan al-Tikriti was also sentenced to death, along with Iraq's former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bander
Former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan got life in jail and three others received 15 year prison terms.
Another co-defendant, Baath party official Mohammed Azawi Ali, was acquitted.
Saddam shouted out "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest) and "Long live Iraq. Long live the Iraqi people!" after the judge announced the verdict.
He has the option to appeal the sentence.
In the meantime the long suffering people of Iraq wait to see if this verdict leads to a rise in violence, as predicted by some.
In the USA President Bush faces midterms on the 7th of November, it is predicted that the Republican party will be heavily defeated as voters vent their spleens on Bush for the failure of the Iraq mission. The voters will also bring Bush to account for the theft of $800M, designated to help rebuild Iraq, by key Iraqi officials from under the noses of the US administration.
Mission accomplished!
Friday, October 20, 2006
Iraq's Prime Minister Calls For Execution
During yesterday's session of Saddam Hussein's trial, witnesses described their suffering during their detention in a desert prison in southern Iraq.
Abdullah Said Muhammed, 79 years old, said that his village was attacked by chemical weapons.
Quote:
"We ran away from poison gas and fled the area to a nearby village."
He noted that the Iraqi forces then arrested the fleeing people and threw them to prison, where they endured bad sanitary conditions.
Said added that approximately 1,800 people died in Nugrat al- Salaman prison, during the four months of his detention, "I myself helped bury 20 dead prisoners, including eight of my relatives."
Baqer Qader Muhammad described his suffering in the Nugrat al-Salman prison, saying that he and many other detainees were infected with diarrhea as a result of the dirty water.
The trial has now been adjourned until October 30th, to give the defendants time to contact their lawyers.
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said on Wednesday:
"God willing, the trial will not continue for a long time and shortly a death sentence will be passed against his crimes, along with his aides and the criminals who worked with him.
With his execution, those betting on returning Saddam to power under the banner of the Baath Party will loose."
As Prime minister he should not openly interfere in the trial, by stating publicly his wish to see a death sentence, prior to a verdict being delivered.
He is hoping against hope, that the execution of Saddam will stem the tide of violence that is engulfing Iraq. I suspect that it is too late for that, and that the eventual "solution" to the violence will be the partition of Iraq.
Abdullah Said Muhammed, 79 years old, said that his village was attacked by chemical weapons.
Quote:
"We ran away from poison gas and fled the area to a nearby village."
He noted that the Iraqi forces then arrested the fleeing people and threw them to prison, where they endured bad sanitary conditions.
Said added that approximately 1,800 people died in Nugrat al- Salaman prison, during the four months of his detention, "I myself helped bury 20 dead prisoners, including eight of my relatives."
Baqer Qader Muhammad described his suffering in the Nugrat al-Salman prison, saying that he and many other detainees were infected with diarrhea as a result of the dirty water.
The trial has now been adjourned until October 30th, to give the defendants time to contact their lawyers.
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said on Wednesday:
"God willing, the trial will not continue for a long time and shortly a death sentence will be passed against his crimes, along with his aides and the criminals who worked with him.
With his execution, those betting on returning Saddam to power under the banner of the Baath Party will loose."
As Prime minister he should not openly interfere in the trial, by stating publicly his wish to see a death sentence, prior to a verdict being delivered.
He is hoping against hope, that the execution of Saddam will stem the tide of violence that is engulfing Iraq. I suspect that it is too late for that, and that the eventual "solution" to the violence will be the partition of Iraq.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Saddam Was No Dictator
Judge Abdullah al-Amiri caused a degree of controversy in yesterday's proceedings at the trial of Saddam Hussein, when he told Saddam that he was not a dictator.
Quote:
"You were not a dictator.
However, the people or the individuals and officials surrounding you created a dictator [out of you], it was not you in particular.
It happens all over the world."
Saddam, clearly moved, bowed his head and said:
"Thank you."
Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish member of parliament, was not impressed and said:
"If Saddam isn't a dictator as he says, then there's never been a dictatorship in the world.
This... is against the truth. It angers the victims and hurts their feelings."
Mr al-Amiri has already been accused by the prosecution of bias. It should be noted that he was a member of Saddam's Ba'ath party, and served as a prosecuting judge in a criminal court under Saddam's regime.
During yesterday's session, the court heard testimony from Abdullah Mohammad Hussein, a villager from Sida near the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya.
Quote:
"I have lost eight of my family members by the attack of the Iraqi army on my village in 1988."
He alleged that his family were taken away by Iraqi soldiers in the Anfal campaign.
"My mother was released years later and she told me that the bodies of my wife and two of my sons were found in a mass grave in Hatra south of Mosul."
He noted that he had met Saddam:
"I have met Saddam Hussein after I submitted a request. He asked what I wanted. But when I told him that I had lost my family in Sidr village, he replied 'Shut up. Your family is gone in the Anfal'."
Saddam retorted:
"Why did you try to meet me when you knew I was a dictator?"
It was at this point that the judge made his comments.
The trial has now been adjourned until Monday, for "technical reasons".
Quote:
"You were not a dictator.
However, the people or the individuals and officials surrounding you created a dictator [out of you], it was not you in particular.
It happens all over the world."
Saddam, clearly moved, bowed his head and said:
"Thank you."
Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish member of parliament, was not impressed and said:
"If Saddam isn't a dictator as he says, then there's never been a dictatorship in the world.
This... is against the truth. It angers the victims and hurts their feelings."
Mr al-Amiri has already been accused by the prosecution of bias. It should be noted that he was a member of Saddam's Ba'ath party, and served as a prosecuting judge in a criminal court under Saddam's regime.
During yesterday's session, the court heard testimony from Abdullah Mohammad Hussein, a villager from Sida near the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya.
Quote:
"I have lost eight of my family members by the attack of the Iraqi army on my village in 1988."
He alleged that his family were taken away by Iraqi soldiers in the Anfal campaign.
"My mother was released years later and she told me that the bodies of my wife and two of my sons were found in a mass grave in Hatra south of Mosul."
He noted that he had met Saddam:
"I have met Saddam Hussein after I submitted a request. He asked what I wanted. But when I told him that I had lost my family in Sidr village, he replied 'Shut up. Your family is gone in the Anfal'."
Saddam retorted:
"Why did you try to meet me when you knew I was a dictator?"
It was at this point that the judge made his comments.
The trial has now been adjourned until Monday, for "technical reasons".
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Adjourned Until Monday
The trial of Saddam Hussein heard from two witnesses yesterday.
The first witness, who was a government employee in Dujail in 1982, noted that two names in the list of the 148 people allegedly executed by Saddam's regime in the 1980s are not true, because one of them died in battle with Iran six months after the Dujail assassination.
The second witness was Ali Daiyh Ali's wife, Saddam's co-defendant and former Baath party official, who said that her husband was not a senior official of the Baath party or with the government and he had nothing to do with the detention of Dujail countrymen.
The trial was adjourned until next Monday.
The first witness, who was a government employee in Dujail in 1982, noted that two names in the list of the 148 people allegedly executed by Saddam's regime in the 1980s are not true, because one of them died in battle with Iran six months after the Dujail assassination.
The second witness was Ali Daiyh Ali's wife, Saddam's co-defendant and former Baath party official, who said that her husband was not a senior official of the Baath party or with the government and he had nothing to do with the detention of Dujail countrymen.
The trial was adjourned until next Monday.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Trial Resumes
The trial of Saddam Hussein reconvened today.
Chief Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman began the 32nd session by hearing two testimonies from defence witnesses for Saddam's co-defendant Ali Daiyh Ali, a former Saddam Baath party official.
Rahman said that the court would only hear the two witnesses, who would speak from behind a curtain, as the rest of the defence witnesses were absent.
The trial continues.
Chief Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman began the 32nd session by hearing two testimonies from defence witnesses for Saddam's co-defendant Ali Daiyh Ali, a former Saddam Baath party official.
Rahman said that the court would only hear the two witnesses, who would speak from behind a curtain, as the rest of the defence witnesses were absent.
The trial continues.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
All Fair
On Monday, the defence witnesses at the trial of Saddam Hussein testified that death sentences handed down to 148 Shia men convicted for their alleged involvement in a 1982 assassination attempt on Saddam were fair.
One witness was a former Revolutionary Court lawyer, who appeared on behalf of Awad al-Bandar, one of Saddam's co-accused.
Bandar was the chief judge when the court passed the death sentence on the 148 Shias. He was quoted as saying:
"The court allowed defendants to commission a lawyer and if a defendant was not able to hire a lawyer then the court would appoint one for him.
Mr Bandar took the humanitarian aspect into consideration, and he was fair and made all judgements according to law."
The next witness had once been a defendant before the Revolutionary Court. He said:
"I didn't want a lawyer because I was innocent but the judge gave me sufficient time to bring a defence lawyer to defend me. I still remember he called me 'my son' and I was just a defendant."
Bandar has claimed that the Dujail trial was fair, despite the fact that there was only one defence lawyer for all 148 accused and that the trial took only 16 days.
During yesterday's hearing, some of the witnesses restated their loyalty to Saddam.
One asked if he could offer greetings to Saddam from his tribe and family. Needless to say, the judge pointed out that this was a courtroom not a Baath party meeting.
Saddam laughed and answered:
"Well done, well done. Say hello to all of them."
The judge ejected a member of the public after the defence complained that the man was a member of a Shia militia, who had threatened lawyers in the past.
One witness was a former Revolutionary Court lawyer, who appeared on behalf of Awad al-Bandar, one of Saddam's co-accused.
Bandar was the chief judge when the court passed the death sentence on the 148 Shias. He was quoted as saying:
"The court allowed defendants to commission a lawyer and if a defendant was not able to hire a lawyer then the court would appoint one for him.
Mr Bandar took the humanitarian aspect into consideration, and he was fair and made all judgements according to law."
The next witness had once been a defendant before the Revolutionary Court. He said:
"I didn't want a lawyer because I was innocent but the judge gave me sufficient time to bring a defence lawyer to defend me. I still remember he called me 'my son' and I was just a defendant."
Bandar has claimed that the Dujail trial was fair, despite the fact that there was only one defence lawyer for all 148 accused and that the trial took only 16 days.
During yesterday's hearing, some of the witnesses restated their loyalty to Saddam.
One asked if he could offer greetings to Saddam from his tribe and family. Needless to say, the judge pointed out that this was a courtroom not a Baath party meeting.
Saddam laughed and answered:
"Well done, well done. Say hello to all of them."
The judge ejected a member of the public after the defence complained that the man was a member of a Shia militia, who had threatened lawyers in the past.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Saddam Allowed To Attend His Own Trial
Saddam Hussein was allowed to attend his own trial today, contrary to yesterday's session where he was blocked by the judge from attending.
Chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman had rejected requests that all the defendants be allowed to attend on Tuesday, he said that their presence was not necessary.
However, today he changed his mind and told the court that all the defendants would be allowed to be present.
Witnesses on Tuesday and Wednesday were testifying on behalf of defendants Abdullah Kazim al-Ruwayyid and his son Mizhar, two local Baath Party officials accused of aiding the crackdown against Shiites in Dujail in 1982.
Three witnesses, two Dujail residents and a nephew of Abdullah al-Ruwayyid, told the court today that the al-Ruwayyids had nothing to do with the crackdown.
One Dujail resident said about Abdullah al-Ruwayyid:
"I saw him a month later, and never heard from any Dujail residents that he took part in any arrests with the security forces."
Saddam has argued that the crackdown was a legal response to the assassination attempt.
The trial continues.
Chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman had rejected requests that all the defendants be allowed to attend on Tuesday, he said that their presence was not necessary.
However, today he changed his mind and told the court that all the defendants would be allowed to be present.
Witnesses on Tuesday and Wednesday were testifying on behalf of defendants Abdullah Kazim al-Ruwayyid and his son Mizhar, two local Baath Party officials accused of aiding the crackdown against Shiites in Dujail in 1982.
Three witnesses, two Dujail residents and a nephew of Abdullah al-Ruwayyid, told the court today that the al-Ruwayyids had nothing to do with the crackdown.
One Dujail resident said about Abdullah al-Ruwayyid:
"I saw him a month later, and never heard from any Dujail residents that he took part in any arrests with the security forces."
Saddam has argued that the crackdown was a legal response to the assassination attempt.
The trial continues.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Trial Continues Today Without Saddam
The trial of Saddam Hussein continues today, with further defence witnesses appearing.
Saddam is not in court.
Chief Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman said witnesses for three other defendants in the case would take the stand during the session, all are former local officials of Saddam's Baath party.
Quote:
"The court will listen to the witnesses of the three defendants present. There are a number of witnesses and it may take up this session or even another one."
The defence team complained that Saddam, and some other defendants, had not been called to attend the session.
The judge dismissed their complaints saying:
"We let you attend so you can respond to anything the witnesses may say that affects your clients".
Saddam is not in court.
Chief Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman said witnesses for three other defendants in the case would take the stand during the session, all are former local officials of Saddam's Baath party.
Quote:
"The court will listen to the witnesses of the three defendants present. There are a number of witnesses and it may take up this session or even another one."
The defence team complained that Saddam, and some other defendants, had not been called to attend the session.
The judge dismissed their complaints saying:
"We let you attend so you can respond to anything the witnesses may say that affects your clients".
Monday, March 13, 2006
Trial Resumes
The trial of Saddam Hussein resumed yesterday, and the judge called in each defendant individually to present his testimony.
Mizhar Abdullah Ruwayyid, an official from Saddam's former ruling Ba'ath Party, was called before the judge.
He and chief justice Raouf Abdel-Rahman then began arguing.
Abdel-Rahman asked Ruwayyid to tell the court what he was doing on the day of the assassination attempt against Saddam, whose motorcade was fired on as he visited Dujail on July 8th 1982.
Ruwayyid said that he was working as a telephone operator, and that he held only a low-level position in the Baath Party at the time.
He denied earlier testimony from previous witnesses, who accused him of helping in the roundup of Dujail residents following the shooting.
Quote:
"What they said was untrue, because they had personal animosity toward me."
Today so far, Mohammed Azawi Ali, a Baath official accused of informing on Dujail residents, has given testimony.
Quote:
"I didn't detain anyone, not even a bug. I didn't write any reports about people, and if there is someone in Dujail who says this bring him here and let him face me.
I don't know why they brought me here."
The chief prosecutor presented signed testimony by Ali to investigators, Ali then said:
"Read it and let my father be cursed. What are they going to do, execute me? I am dying anyway from heart problems and ulcers."
The trial continues.
Mizhar Abdullah Ruwayyid, an official from Saddam's former ruling Ba'ath Party, was called before the judge.
He and chief justice Raouf Abdel-Rahman then began arguing.
Abdel-Rahman asked Ruwayyid to tell the court what he was doing on the day of the assassination attempt against Saddam, whose motorcade was fired on as he visited Dujail on July 8th 1982.
Ruwayyid said that he was working as a telephone operator, and that he held only a low-level position in the Baath Party at the time.
He denied earlier testimony from previous witnesses, who accused him of helping in the roundup of Dujail residents following the shooting.
Quote:
"What they said was untrue, because they had personal animosity toward me."
Today so far, Mohammed Azawi Ali, a Baath official accused of informing on Dujail residents, has given testimony.
Quote:
"I didn't detain anyone, not even a bug. I didn't write any reports about people, and if there is someone in Dujail who says this bring him here and let him face me.
I don't know why they brought me here."
The chief prosecutor presented signed testimony by Ali to investigators, Ali then said:
"Read it and let my father be cursed. What are they going to do, execute me? I am dying anyway from heart problems and ulcers."
The trial continues.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
The Farce Continues
It seems that the phrases "well run" and "trial of Saddam Hussein" are oxymorons.
Saddam's trial was meant to resume yesterday. However, rather unsurprisingly, it has been postponed yet again this time until Sunday.
This time the dispute centres on the appointment of a the new presiding judge, who was appointed in a last-minute shake-up
Raid Juhi, a judge and spokesman for the tribunal, said that the trial was being delayed because some witnesses and complainants were out of the country making the pilgrimage to Mecca.
However, his statement is being pooh-poohed by the media; who had waited for over four hours for the trial to start.
Anyone with any nounce can reason that if the delay was really down to the absence of witnesses, then this issue would have been raised earlier.
The real reason for the delay appears to be a disagreement among the judges over the replacement of Rizgar Muhammad Amin, the Kurdish judge who has presided over the trial until now.
Judge Amin was scheduled to be replaced by his deputy, Said al-Hammash. However, Judge Hammash was passed over by the tribunal after a commission, which was charged with removing former high-level members of the Baath Party, accused the judge of having been a Baathist.
Instead, Raouf Rasheed Abdel Rahman, was appointed Monday as the new presiding judge for the trial.
Needless to say, that decision reflected badly upon the perceived independence of the trial. As such the tribunal are now squabbling amogst themselves.
In fact, it seems that the tribunal is beset by the same partisan politics that have been unleashed by the "regime change", and that are currently tearing Iraq apart.
Saddam's trial was meant to resume yesterday. However, rather unsurprisingly, it has been postponed yet again this time until Sunday.
This time the dispute centres on the appointment of a the new presiding judge, who was appointed in a last-minute shake-up
Raid Juhi, a judge and spokesman for the tribunal, said that the trial was being delayed because some witnesses and complainants were out of the country making the pilgrimage to Mecca.
However, his statement is being pooh-poohed by the media; who had waited for over four hours for the trial to start.
Anyone with any nounce can reason that if the delay was really down to the absence of witnesses, then this issue would have been raised earlier.
The real reason for the delay appears to be a disagreement among the judges over the replacement of Rizgar Muhammad Amin, the Kurdish judge who has presided over the trial until now.
Judge Amin was scheduled to be replaced by his deputy, Said al-Hammash. However, Judge Hammash was passed over by the tribunal after a commission, which was charged with removing former high-level members of the Baath Party, accused the judge of having been a Baathist.
Instead, Raouf Rasheed Abdel Rahman, was appointed Monday as the new presiding judge for the trial.
Needless to say, that decision reflected badly upon the perceived independence of the trial. As such the tribunal are now squabbling amogst themselves.
In fact, it seems that the tribunal is beset by the same partisan politics that have been unleashed by the "regime change", and that are currently tearing Iraq apart.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Who's To Judge?
Saddam Hussein's trial resumes again tomorrow. However, the court still has to decide who will be the chief judge.
Judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin announced his resignation earlier this month, and court officials are still trying to persuade him to change his mind.
In fact, the cabinet has yet to accept the resignation.
Amin said that he was stepping down, after being criticised for being too lenient with the defendants.
If the resignation is accepted, the five member court panel will have to vote on a new presiding judge. In the meantime the next most senior member of the panel, Said al-Hammashi, is expected to preside.
Within days of reports saying he would succeed Amin, Hammashi came under attack from the de-Baathification Committee.
The committee claimed Hammashi was a former active member of the Baath party, and should not preside over the trial.
Who has totally clean hands in this trial?
Judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin announced his resignation earlier this month, and court officials are still trying to persuade him to change his mind.
In fact, the cabinet has yet to accept the resignation.
Amin said that he was stepping down, after being criticised for being too lenient with the defendants.
If the resignation is accepted, the five member court panel will have to vote on a new presiding judge. In the meantime the next most senior member of the panel, Said al-Hammashi, is expected to preside.
Within days of reports saying he would succeed Amin, Hammashi came under attack from the de-Baathification Committee.
The committee claimed Hammashi was a former active member of the Baath party, and should not preside over the trial.
Who has totally clean hands in this trial?
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Saddam Hussein's Trial Resumes
The trial of Saddam Hussein resumed today, after a break since 7th December.
On that date Saddam did not attend, in protest at the handling of the trial. However, he is present today.
Saddam today interrupted as the first witness, Ali Mohammed Hussein al-Haydari, began giving testimony.
However, order was restored and the witness described how some of his brothers were shot by security forces, and he and his family were taken to Baath Party headquarters.
Quote:
"I saw my brother being tortured in front of my eyes. I was terrified."
The trial is likely to be adjourned again tomorrow, until mid-January, because of the announcement of Iraq's December 15th National Assembly election results, holidays and the Hajj.
On that date Saddam did not attend, in protest at the handling of the trial. However, he is present today.
Saddam today interrupted as the first witness, Ali Mohammed Hussein al-Haydari, began giving testimony.
However, order was restored and the witness described how some of his brothers were shot by security forces, and he and his family were taken to Baath Party headquarters.
Quote:
"I saw my brother being tortured in front of my eyes. I was terrified."
The trial is likely to be adjourned again tomorrow, until mid-January, because of the announcement of Iraq's December 15th National Assembly election results, holidays and the Hajj.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Saddam's Aide Reported Dead
A Ba'ath party website has stated that Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, the deputy of Saddam Hussein is dead.
The statement on the website said:
"On the soil of Arabic Iraq, the soul of Comrade Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri returned to God the Creator on Friday at dawn."
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri was 61 years old, and was deputy chief of the Iraqi armed forces; he was reportedly one of Saddam's most trusted confidants.
Ibrahim was the most senior member of the former regime still at large, and his whereabouts were unknown.
The US military had put a $10M reward on his head.
The statement on the website said:
"On the soil of Arabic Iraq, the soul of Comrade Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri returned to God the Creator on Friday at dawn."
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri was 61 years old, and was deputy chief of the Iraqi armed forces; he was reportedly one of Saddam's most trusted confidants.
Ibrahim was the most senior member of the former regime still at large, and his whereabouts were unknown.
The US military had put a $10M reward on his head.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Lawyer Kidnapped
In a plot now resembling something out of John Le Carre novel, one of the lawyers of one of Saddam Hussein's co-defendants was kidnapped yesterday.
Saadoun Sughaiyer al-Janabi was dragged out of his office on Thursday by 10 masked gunmen.
Police Major Falah al-Mohammedawi, of the Interior Ministry, said:
"Police special forces started search operations early this morning in the suspected areas around Sadr city in eastern Baghdad. We hope to find the hostage as soon as possible."
Al-Janabi is one of two attorneys for Awad Hamed al-Bandar, one of the seven Baath Party officials being tried with Saddam.
After the opening session of Saddam's trial, where he questioned the legitimacy of the trial, it was been suspended until November 28th.
However, the court will interview Wadah Ismail al-Sheik, a bedridden cancer patient who helped run Iraq's intelligence agency on Sunday.
Saadoun Sughaiyer al-Janabi was dragged out of his office on Thursday by 10 masked gunmen.
Police Major Falah al-Mohammedawi, of the Interior Ministry, said:
"Police special forces started search operations early this morning in the suspected areas around Sadr city in eastern Baghdad. We hope to find the hostage as soon as possible."
Al-Janabi is one of two attorneys for Awad Hamed al-Bandar, one of the seven Baath Party officials being tried with Saddam.
After the opening session of Saddam's trial, where he questioned the legitimacy of the trial, it was been suspended until November 28th.
However, the court will interview Wadah Ismail al-Sheik, a bedridden cancer patient who helped run Iraq's intelligence agency on Sunday.
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