Its showtime...later on

[Oceans11]

Saddam moves closer to Iraqi trial

By Kathryn Westcott
BBC News Online


The trials of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and members of his regime appear to be moving closer. It also looks more and more likely that they will take place in Iraq.

There has been much speculation about when Mr Hussein's trial could begin - with some reports saying it could be as early as the end of this year. Other reports say the trials could begin towards the end of the year but that Iraqi officials have not yet decided who will stand trial first.

Saddam Hussein has not been very helpful
Paul Bremmer

One theory is that it may be easier to build a case against the former leader if other officials are convicted first. A body of evidence could then be built up to present at Mr Hussein's trial.

Little has been heard of Saddam Hussein since he was captured at the end of last year but he is believed to be being held at an undisclosed location in Iraq. He has been questioned by both the CIA and the FBI, but so far, he is said to have provided little useful information.

The chief administrator of Iraq Paul Bremer recently indicated that Mr Hussein may not be the first member of the regime to stand trial, partly because he has proved so frustrating to his interrogators. "He's not been very helpful," Mr Bremer told CNN.

Mr Hussein has prisoner of war status and, as such, under the Geneva Conventions, he is supposed to face an international tribunal or one set up by the occupying power.

Iraqi officials say the interim government will ask the coalition to change this after a sovereign government is set up in Iraq so that Mr Hussein can be handed over to Iraqi authorities.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3545809.stm
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[Oceans11]

OPinion poll

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3514504.stm

Of the 2,500 people questioned, 85% said the restoration of public security must be a major priority.

About 6,000 interviews were carried out in total, half in Autumn last year and half this Spring, in a project run by Oxford Research International.

A key concern for the Americans as they prepare to hand over power in June is the unpopularity of the people they are putting in place.

Leaders unloved

Their favoured son Ahmed Chalabi had no support at all, while Saddam Hussein remains one of the six most popular politicians in the country.

Dr Mustafa Alani of the Royal United Services Institute said that the Iraqis wanted a strong leader, but had not found one yet.

"The main point is that the Iraqis are now looking for a strong leader who can save the day.

"As long as the governing council is considered illegitimate and illegal in Iraq, I think they will have to work hard to find something more legitimate and more legal before they disengage from the country."

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Iraq’s religious leaders scored the highest level of confidence, closely followed by the police and the new Iraqi army. At the other end of the scale, more than 40% of those questioned said they had no confidence at all in the US/UK occupation forces.

who do you trust?

 

[Oceans11]

So how do you try a leader in a country thats not far away from civil war?

Answer.
You don't leave, because you can't.

Or:
You leave and take him with you.

(The only alternative is to have him die in custody, then unass the place.)

And what With the US elections coming up...

Its going to be an interesting twelve months.