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.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Thursday, October 06, 2005
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
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.
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.
Monday, October 03, 2005
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.
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.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Saddam Hussein's Trial On Schedule
Ibrahim Jaafari, the Iraqi Prime Minister, said that he expects that the trial of Saddam Hussein will start on scheduled on October 19th.
He is quoted as saying:
"Saddam's trial date is scheduled for October 19 and it is not possible to postpone this case which has already been pending for too long".
Adding:
"Given that judicial authorities are independent we will not be interfering, but we have asked them to deal speedily, but without rashness, with the case".
He is quoted as saying:
"Saddam's trial date is scheduled for October 19 and it is not possible to postpone this case which has already been pending for too long".
Adding:
"Given that judicial authorities are independent we will not be interfering, but we have asked them to deal speedily, but without rashness, with the case".
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Saddam Hussein's Violated Rights
Curtis FJ Doebbler, an international human rights lawyer who is among a group of lawyers trying to get official status to represent Saddam Hussein, has stated that he believes that Saddam's legal rights have been violated.
Doebbler unofficially represents Saddam, on a pro bono basis.
Doebbler says that the most basic violation is the fact that Saddam didn't have the right to choose his own legal representation.
Quote:
"It is true that I am willing to represent him and it is true that there are other much more senior lawyers than myself that have expressed themselves as being willing to represent him. But to be able to represent an individual you must be chosen by that individual.
We do not believe there can a fair trial in these circumstances."
Doebbler is also questioning the legality of the whole trial, he notes that in his view the invasion of Iraq was illegal; therefore, a court formed under an illegal occupation is considered invalid under international law.
Quote:
"We start with an illegal situation and now they have violated almost every one of the due process rights of the president. They have not allowed him the most basic of those rights: the right to legal representation."
However, the fact of the matter is that the trial will go ahead on 19th of October; whether Doebbler likes it or not.
Doebbler unofficially represents Saddam, on a pro bono basis.
Doebbler says that the most basic violation is the fact that Saddam didn't have the right to choose his own legal representation.
Quote:
"It is true that I am willing to represent him and it is true that there are other much more senior lawyers than myself that have expressed themselves as being willing to represent him. But to be able to represent an individual you must be chosen by that individual.
We do not believe there can a fair trial in these circumstances."
Doebbler is also questioning the legality of the whole trial, he notes that in his view the invasion of Iraq was illegal; therefore, a court formed under an illegal occupation is considered invalid under international law.
Quote:
"We start with an illegal situation and now they have violated almost every one of the due process rights of the president. They have not allowed him the most basic of those rights: the right to legal representation."
However, the fact of the matter is that the trial will go ahead on 19th of October; whether Doebbler likes it or not.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Thales Denies Arms Link
Thales SA, the French military electronics group, has denied allegations that it paid millions of dollars in bribes and sold chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein.
Michel Josserand, former chief executive of Thales Engineering and Consulting THEC, made the allegations.
He alleged that the paying of bribes by Thales was widespread, this of course violates French law and international conventions.
Quote:
"I estimate that Thales must pay out between 1 percent and 2 percent of its global revenue in illegal commissions,".
He also alleged that Thales had "sidestepped the (U.N.) Oil for Food Program and delivered chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein's government."
Josserand has alleged that Thales took part in the construction of an Iraqi chemical-weapons plant, disguised as a factory that made powdered milk.
Thales are currently being investigated by police.
Thales have denied the allegations.
Quote:
"The Thales Group formally denies accusations of corruption in France and internationally, lodged against it by a former manager at THEC".
Thales spokesman, Christophe Robin, said that the company also "categorically and totally" denied the allegations concerning.
Adding:
"We never broke the embargo. Thales does not produce chemical weapons. Thales completely denies these unfounded and dishonest allegations."
Thales then went on to say that it had "decided to take immediate legal action for defamation against the French daily newspaper Le Monde and Michel Josserand."
Adding:
"The group would like to point out that these allegations have been made by a former manager of this subsidiary, who was dismissed by the group for irregularities committed as part of a contract for the Nice tramway. Furthermore, the group itself lodged a complaint regarding corruption during this project."
Josserand believes that his life is now in danger.
He also noted that "Thales was only following the practices of the major U.S. companies".
Call me cynical, but the more "air time" given to Saddam Hussein in the form of a series of trials; the more likely other embarrassing allegations will come to the surface about Western companies and politicians, and their relationship with Saddam.
The pressure will surely be on the Iraqi government to hold just one short trial, and to pronounce and execute the death sentence.
Or am I being too cynical?
Michel Josserand, former chief executive of Thales Engineering and Consulting THEC, made the allegations.
He alleged that the paying of bribes by Thales was widespread, this of course violates French law and international conventions.
Quote:
"I estimate that Thales must pay out between 1 percent and 2 percent of its global revenue in illegal commissions,".
He also alleged that Thales had "sidestepped the (U.N.) Oil for Food Program and delivered chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein's government."
Josserand has alleged that Thales took part in the construction of an Iraqi chemical-weapons plant, disguised as a factory that made powdered milk.
Thales are currently being investigated by police.
Thales have denied the allegations.
Quote:
"The Thales Group formally denies accusations of corruption in France and internationally, lodged against it by a former manager at THEC".
Thales spokesman, Christophe Robin, said that the company also "categorically and totally" denied the allegations concerning.
Adding:
"We never broke the embargo. Thales does not produce chemical weapons. Thales completely denies these unfounded and dishonest allegations."
Thales then went on to say that it had "decided to take immediate legal action for defamation against the French daily newspaper Le Monde and Michel Josserand."
Adding:
"The group would like to point out that these allegations have been made by a former manager of this subsidiary, who was dismissed by the group for irregularities committed as part of a contract for the Nice tramway. Furthermore, the group itself lodged a complaint regarding corruption during this project."
Josserand believes that his life is now in danger.
He also noted that "Thales was only following the practices of the major U.S. companies".
Call me cynical, but the more "air time" given to Saddam Hussein in the form of a series of trials; the more likely other embarrassing allegations will come to the surface about Western companies and politicians, and their relationship with Saddam.
The pressure will surely be on the Iraqi government to hold just one short trial, and to pronounce and execute the death sentence.
Or am I being too cynical?
Monday, September 26, 2005
Saddam Hussein To Be Moved To Colorado
Saddam Hussein will be moving to Fort Carson in Colorado this Autumn.
Well rather a lifesize mannequin of Saddam will be making the move.
The 4th Infantry Division is to move its home base from Fort Hood to Fort Carson; and will take the mannequin with them, that is currently on display in their museum at Fort Hood.
The dummy is on display in the museum because the 4th Infantry soldiers played a role in the capture of the real Saddam Hussein.
It shows Saddam when he was caught in a spider hole on an Iraqi farm, surrounded by soldiers from the division, with unkempt hair and a beard.
Well rather a lifesize mannequin of Saddam will be making the move.
The 4th Infantry Division is to move its home base from Fort Hood to Fort Carson; and will take the mannequin with them, that is currently on display in their museum at Fort Hood.
The dummy is on display in the museum because the 4th Infantry soldiers played a role in the capture of the real Saddam Hussein.
It shows Saddam when he was caught in a spider hole on an Iraqi farm, surrounded by soldiers from the division, with unkempt hair and a beard.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Iran's Indictment
Iran has finalised a formal indictment against Saddam Hussein.
The indictment has been prepared by the Public Persecutor's Office, and will be sent to Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi for the final endorsement after being signed by Prosecutor General Qorbanali Dorri-Najafabad.
Ayatollah Shahroudi criticised the Iraqi court, prosecuting Saddam; for failing to address his alleged crimes and violations of human rights in the early years of the 1980-88 war against Iran, and his continued atrocities over the next eight years.
He noted that the Iraqi indictment was "very poor, scanty and lacked Saddam's true crimes".
He called on the court to provide a "real indictment", by including all crimes committed by Saddam.
The indictment has been prepared by the Public Persecutor's Office, and will be sent to Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi for the final endorsement after being signed by Prosecutor General Qorbanali Dorri-Najafabad.
Ayatollah Shahroudi criticised the Iraqi court, prosecuting Saddam; for failing to address his alleged crimes and violations of human rights in the early years of the 1980-88 war against Iran, and his continued atrocities over the next eight years.
He noted that the Iraqi indictment was "very poor, scanty and lacked Saddam's true crimes".
He called on the court to provide a "real indictment", by including all crimes committed by Saddam.
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