Saddam Hussein in court today claimed that the Bush administration had lied when it claimed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, as well as when it disputed his claims of being beaten.
Quote:
"The White House lies once more. The number-one liar in the world, they said in Iraq, there is chemicals, and there is a relation to terrorism, and they announced later we couldn't find any of that in Iraq.
Also, they said that what Saddam Hussein (said) was not true".
He then spoke of his allegations , made yesterday about being beaten:
"I have documented the injuries I had before three American medical teams."
Hussein then added that the medical teams numbered "two, for sure, unequivocally."
Then, for good measure:
"We don't lie. The White House lies."
The defence have requested that the testimony of prosecution witnesses not be broadcast, until all the witnesses have testified. They claim that witnesses are watching each other's testimonies and then repeating them. The court will consider this request.
One witness who testified today from behind a curtain to protect his identity. He said that when he was 8 years that his father, three uncles and grandmother were arrested and imprisoned.
"She complained to us about what had happened to her. They used to torture her before her children and they would torture her children before her. She said, 'They tortured us, and we did not know for what reason.'"
The defence noted that he Defense was a child at the time, and that he was not arrested and did not see any torture or killings personally.
Saddam interjected too:
"His testimony is documented and accepted, and he's underage (at the time)?" This is something I would like to understand. Is this allowed? Is this permissible?"
The trial continues.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Saddam's Uniform Sold
A US Army 3rd Division Soldier has made $16K, before commission, by selling one of Saddam Hussein's uniforms via the Manion's International Auction House website.
The uniform was "liberated" from a tailor's shop soon after the arrival of US troops in Baghdad.
The identity of the bidder remains strictly confidential. However, the sale drew interest from Saudi Arabia and Mongolia, in addition to the US and Europe.
The uniform was "liberated" from a tailor's shop soon after the arrival of US troops in Baghdad.
The identity of the bidder remains strictly confidential. However, the sale drew interest from Saudi Arabia and Mongolia, in addition to the US and Europe.
Saddam Hussein Alleges He Was Beaten
Saddam Hussein has accused US troops of beating and torturing him whilst he was in jail.
Saddam, whilst speaking at his trial yesterday, claimed that evidence of torture could be seen all over his body.
The prosecution pooh poohed the claims, saying that Saddam was relatively comfortable as his room was comfortable and air-conditioned room. They noted that many people in Baghdad have an unreliable electricity supply, which makes air conditioning the stuff of dreams.
Saddam made his claim after several hours of testimony, which included witnesses who claimed that Saddam's agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin.
One of the witnesses was al-Haidari, who stated that seven of his brothers were executed by Saddam's soldiers and that their bodies have never been found.
He told the court that he, and other residents of his village, were taken to Baghdad and thrown into a prison where people were given electric shocks and regular beatings.
Saddam then took it upon himself to speak, and claimed that he had been tortured and beaten on every part of his body, and that his seven co-defendants had also been beaten.
Quote:
"I would say yes, we were beaten up. We were beaten up by Americans and we were tortured.
Every one of us.
This man when he gets up he has to hold the railing because he was beaten up badly. He was beaten badly with rifle butts on his back".
The Chief Prosecutor, Jaafar al-Mousawi, said that he would investigate the claims; stating that if they were true, Saddam would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.
Christopher Reid of the US embassy in Baghdad said that the claims were bogus.
Quote:
"We heard Barzon al-Tikriti complaining about his treatment and saying the cigarettes I'm getting are terrible and I only get six a day, that kind of a complaint. So nowhere then was anything mentioned about being beaten or whatever.
So I think these are bogus claims, they're designed to ambush the court, and they're designed to really play on or play against some of the testimony that we've had in the case so far".
Sean McCormack, State Department spokesman, said:
"I know of nothing that would substantiate such a claim. He's given to grandstanding in this trial. But where the focus should be is on the testimony of those people who were victimised".
Saddam, whilst speaking at his trial yesterday, claimed that evidence of torture could be seen all over his body.
The prosecution pooh poohed the claims, saying that Saddam was relatively comfortable as his room was comfortable and air-conditioned room. They noted that many people in Baghdad have an unreliable electricity supply, which makes air conditioning the stuff of dreams.
Saddam made his claim after several hours of testimony, which included witnesses who claimed that Saddam's agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin.
One of the witnesses was al-Haidari, who stated that seven of his brothers were executed by Saddam's soldiers and that their bodies have never been found.
He told the court that he, and other residents of his village, were taken to Baghdad and thrown into a prison where people were given electric shocks and regular beatings.
Saddam then took it upon himself to speak, and claimed that he had been tortured and beaten on every part of his body, and that his seven co-defendants had also been beaten.
Quote:
"I would say yes, we were beaten up. We were beaten up by Americans and we were tortured.
Every one of us.
This man when he gets up he has to hold the railing because he was beaten up badly. He was beaten badly with rifle butts on his back".
The Chief Prosecutor, Jaafar al-Mousawi, said that he would investigate the claims; stating that if they were true, Saddam would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.
Christopher Reid of the US embassy in Baghdad said that the claims were bogus.
Quote:
"We heard Barzon al-Tikriti complaining about his treatment and saying the cigarettes I'm getting are terrible and I only get six a day, that kind of a complaint. So nowhere then was anything mentioned about being beaten or whatever.
So I think these are bogus claims, they're designed to ambush the court, and they're designed to really play on or play against some of the testimony that we've had in the case so far".
Sean McCormack, State Department spokesman, said:
"I know of nothing that would substantiate such a claim. He's given to grandstanding in this trial. But where the focus should be is on the testimony of those people who were victimised".
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.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
What's In A Name?
In a slip of the tongue President George Bush accidently revealed his inner thinking yesterday.
Bush briefly turned Osama bin Laden into Saddam Hussein.
Bush momentarily switched the names in a news conference at the White House, where he was defending his decision to authorise eavesdropping on Americans suspected of links with al Qaeda and other organisations in the U.S. war on terrorism.
Quote:
"In the late 1990s, our government was following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone and then the fact that we were following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone made it into the press as the result of a leak."
Adding:
"And guess what happened. Saddam ...Osama bin Laden changed his behaviour. He began to change how he communicated. We're at war. And we must protect America's secrets."
Many a slip tixt cup and lip.
Bush briefly turned Osama bin Laden into Saddam Hussein.
Bush momentarily switched the names in a news conference at the White House, where he was defending his decision to authorise eavesdropping on Americans suspected of links with al Qaeda and other organisations in the U.S. war on terrorism.
Quote:
"In the late 1990s, our government was following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone and then the fact that we were following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone made it into the press as the result of a leak."
Adding:
"And guess what happened. Saddam ...Osama bin Laden changed his behaviour. He began to change how he communicated. We're at war. And we must protect America's secrets."
Many a slip tixt cup and lip.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Count Underway
In the first full term parliamentary election, since the invasion of Iraq, millions of Iraqis voted.
The ballots are now being counted.
It is estimated that 11 million of Iraq's 15 million eligible voters took part in the vote.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad is quoted as saying:
"The number of people participating is very, very high, and we have had very few irregularities. It is a good day so far, good for us, good for Iraq."
Officials say it could be at a fortnight, before the final results can be announced.
After that an agreement will then need to be brokered over the form of government, and the naming of a prime minister.
The high turnout is a positive sign that many wish to end the chaos that has engulfed Iraq since Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled in 2003.
The ballots are now being counted.
It is estimated that 11 million of Iraq's 15 million eligible voters took part in the vote.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad is quoted as saying:
"The number of people participating is very, very high, and we have had very few irregularities. It is a good day so far, good for us, good for Iraq."
Officials say it could be at a fortnight, before the final results can be announced.
After that an agreement will then need to be brokered over the form of government, and the naming of a prime minister.
The high turnout is a positive sign that many wish to end the chaos that has engulfed Iraq since Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled in 2003.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Saddam The Video Game
Kuma Reality Games have launched an online documentary gaming series about Saddam Hussein.
The latest installment (The Capture of Saddam: Operation Red Dawn) takes gamers through the town of Adwar, as they "search" for Saddam in his "spider hole."
The previous episode recreated the events that led to Saddam's war crimes trial.
Both episodes are available at www.kumawar.com.
Keith Halper, CEO of Kuma Reality Games, is quoted as saying:
"These missions allow people to educate themselves on international events that have shaped our history, while providing a dynamic forum for further exploration and discussion."
A cynic might suggest that those who play the games have little interest in educating themselves, they are merely playing them for the "buzz" that they get.
The latest installment (The Capture of Saddam: Operation Red Dawn) takes gamers through the town of Adwar, as they "search" for Saddam in his "spider hole."
The previous episode recreated the events that led to Saddam's war crimes trial.
Both episodes are available at www.kumawar.com.
Keith Halper, CEO of Kuma Reality Games, is quoted as saying:
"These missions allow people to educate themselves on international events that have shaped our history, while providing a dynamic forum for further exploration and discussion."
A cynic might suggest that those who play the games have little interest in educating themselves, they are merely playing them for the "buzz" that they get.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Saddam's Nephew Goes To Jail
Aymen Sabawi, Saddam Hussein's nephew and former regime insider and terrorist supporter, was found guilty in a Baghdad court on December 5th of illegally crossing the Syrian border without authorisation from Iraqi customs.
Sabawi has had a 15 year sentence handed down, on top of a 6 year sentence that he received during a September trial in which he was found guilty of possessing illegal weapons and manufacturing explosive devices.
This means that Sabawi will not be released from prison for more than 20 years.
Sabawi and members of his family have allegedly played an active role in sustaining terrorism in Iraq; by providing financial support, weapons and explosives.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 indicted the Sabawi family for stealing millions of dollars from the Iraqi people during Saddam Hussein's regime.
Sabawi has had a 15 year sentence handed down, on top of a 6 year sentence that he received during a September trial in which he was found guilty of possessing illegal weapons and manufacturing explosive devices.
This means that Sabawi will not be released from prison for more than 20 years.
Sabawi and members of his family have allegedly played an active role in sustaining terrorism in Iraq; by providing financial support, weapons and explosives.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 indicted the Sabawi family for stealing millions of dollars from the Iraqi people during Saddam Hussein's regime.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
What A Shambles!
The trial of Saddam Hussein, heralded with a fanfare back in 2003 by the US, is now beginning to look like a kangaroo court set up by rank amateurs.
The cost to date, incurred by the US Regime Crimes liaison Office, is $128M.
What do they have to show for their money?
"We have always had concerns that the writing was on the wall. There are a number of serious difficulties with the tribunal ... It's a concern that the necessary experience is just not there."
Was the invasion really all for this?
People should hang their heads in shame over this farce. This trial, unless it is taken in hand swiftly, will not provide Iraq with a firm foundation for its future; it will merely create more instability in that already blighted country.
The cost to date, incurred by the US Regime Crimes liaison Office, is $128M.
What do they have to show for their money?
- A defendant who won't appear
- A trial only covering one small aspect of Saddam's time in office
- Murdered lawyers and threats to the remaining members of court
- A shortage of interpreters, the media have to supply their own
- Mismatched desks for defence counsel benches, and poorly hung curtains hiding witnesses
- No court record
- No stenographers to produce a transcript
- Witnesses whose testimony sounds barely credible
- There is even a very real possibility that Saddam could get off
"We have always had concerns that the writing was on the wall. There are a number of serious difficulties with the tribunal ... It's a concern that the necessary experience is just not there."
Was the invasion really all for this?
People should hang their heads in shame over this farce. This trial, unless it is taken in hand swiftly, will not provide Iraq with a firm foundation for its future; it will merely create more instability in that already blighted country.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Saddam Hussein's Lawyers Threatened
According to ex-US Attorney General Ramsey Clark and Khalil Dulaimi (Saddam's chief lawyer), three men threatened Dulaimi as he boarded a plane from Baghdad to Jordan yesterday.
The men were removed from the flight.
Dulaimi said that he believed that one of them was an Iraqi security official.
Quote:
"I saw three miserable people, one of them was daring airport security and some of the officers there. It seemed he was a man backed (by influential people) and affiliated with one of the security apparatus.
I asked airport security to check his identity and they did. His name is with us. I believe he sought to assassinate me, or assassinate the defence team."
Adding:
"We appeal for intervention from the United Nations to ensure a fair and honest trial, considering this miserable security situation."
Clark said:
"There were three people that threatened him (Dulaimi) directly and they were planning to board the plane. The security people removed them."
Clark also added that other lawyers have also received threats in the Baghdad courtroom during Saddam's trial.
Quote:
"There were threats even at the court, on the balcony, there were three people making threats during the trial. I didn't personally receive any threat, or see anyone follow me".
It is believed that the threats came from individuals affiliated with the Iraqi interior ministry.
How can the "new" Iraq hope to build a stable foundation for the future, if the trial of its former dictator is conducted under these circumstances?
The men were removed from the flight.
Dulaimi said that he believed that one of them was an Iraqi security official.
Quote:
"I saw three miserable people, one of them was daring airport security and some of the officers there. It seemed he was a man backed (by influential people) and affiliated with one of the security apparatus.
I asked airport security to check his identity and they did. His name is with us. I believe he sought to assassinate me, or assassinate the defence team."
Adding:
"We appeal for intervention from the United Nations to ensure a fair and honest trial, considering this miserable security situation."
Clark said:
"There were three people that threatened him (Dulaimi) directly and they were planning to board the plane. The security people removed them."
Clark also added that other lawyers have also received threats in the Baghdad courtroom during Saddam's trial.
Quote:
"There were threats even at the court, on the balcony, there were three people making threats during the trial. I didn't personally receive any threat, or see anyone follow me".
It is believed that the threats came from individuals affiliated with the Iraqi interior ministry.
How can the "new" Iraq hope to build a stable foundation for the future, if the trial of its former dictator is conducted under these circumstances?
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