Saddam steps up his defence

[Esslinger]

Saddam Hussein’s defence team is preparing to call a string of British and American politicians to testify at the deposed Iraqi dictator’s trial for war crimes, according to a legal expert.

The US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, and the outgoing Secretary of State, Colin Powell, could be among those called to give evidence about the decision to invade Iraq as part of moves to justify the ousted Iraqi dictator’s invasions of Iran and Kuwait.

Defence lawyers are also expected to attempt to get members of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher’s government to testify at the Iraqi Special Tribunal, to discuss US and UK support for his regime in the 1980s.

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His trial will not start until after the elections in Iraq next month and Professor Michael Scharf, a renowned American expert on international law, said the case could take up to a year.


http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1415872004