(Allawi says) Iraq War Crimes Trials to Begin Next Week

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - War crimes trials against Iraq (news - web sites)'s former Baath Party leaders will begin next week, interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said Tuesday. He didn't say whether Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) would be among them.



Many members of Iraq's former regime have been in jail for more than a year, and few have been able to meet with counsel so far. Saddam's Jordan-based lawyers say they have not seen the former dictator, arrested a year ago Monday.


Officials had given conflicting accounts about when the trials would begin. They have also said that Saddam might not be the first to be tried.


"I can now tell you clearly and precisely that, God willing, next week the trials of the symbols of the former regime will start, one by one so that justice can take its path in Iraq," Allawi said, without specifying who would be tried.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=1&u=/ap/20041214/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_trials

Yeah, right? :eyes:

[maddezmom]

1. but, but yesterday: US plays down slow moves toward Saddam trial

WASHINGTON (AFP) - On the anniversary of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s capture, the United States said the trial of the toppled Iraqi dictator should not be hurried.


"The process of preparing a trial or preparing a trial of such a complicated nature is one that does take time. We understand that," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.


Boucher hoped for progress in 2005, but without setting a timetable.


"The nature of this work is that much of the work is behind the scenes until it gets to a further stage of this investigation. And I think that's true in this case," he said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=11&u=/afp/20041213/wl_mideast_afp/ussaddamiraqtrial_041213232156

[0007]

2. What an opera!

Get ready for the Colin & Condi duet and then Saddam! Rummy is in the wings practicing his high C's, with passionate arm and hand movements.

[jmcgowanjm]

4. On the mark, as usual maddezmom

U.S. Embassy officials said they had no prior
information
on Allawi's statement and learned of his plan only
through
media reports. The Bush administration has repeatedly
said
the trials must be legitimate and could take
some
time.

Somebody's chain is about to be pulled. As soon
as
we take care of this Kerik/Giuliani/Mob
Business.
You know, I could see Rove suffering an
aneurism
just like his mentor Atwater. Just too much
info
on the hard drive.


Hunger Strike. Connect the Dots.

[Career Prole]

3. Cool! When does shrub's trial start?

Oh...they're talking about the staged trials. :shrug:

[LynnTheDem]

5. WHAT "war crimes"???

The only "war" aside from the current invasion & occupation war of aggression perpetrated by America was back in 1990-1991. When America supported Hussein's government in putting down the rebels -oops I mean INSURGENT TERRORISTS.

And how are ANY trials starting in Iraq when Iraq doesn't even have a legit government???

Will CIA-paid terrorist bush-puppet Allawi be the judge? Allawi; bigger thug than Saddam Hussein, but dumber. No wonder bush picked him, birds of a feather and all.

[Solly Mack]

6. Wonder when the made for TV movie will be coming out

[daleo]

7. The Peterson trial is over

Someone may have decided the Saddam trial would make better TV than the Robert Blake trial. Interesting that the location of Saddam's imprisonment should be revealed on the same day as this news. Perhaps an Iraqi Jack Ruby is waiting in the wings.

[maddezmom]

8. and Allawi si going to announce his run for office tomorrow

The announcement about the trials was made on the same day Allawi's office confirmed that on Wednesday he would announce a coalition list to vie for seats in the transitional national assembly election on January 30.

Allawi will pursue a seat in the coalition, which will be comprised of his Iraqi National Accord and other parties.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/12/14/iraq.trials/index.html

~~~~~~~~

wonder if he'll steal * script and be the "war" PM or the "peace" PM or the "keep ya safe from terryaist" PM...so many to choose from.

[daleo]

9. Last week we heard he probably wouldn't run

And Chalabi was back to being "best boy". Now this. It's hard to keep up.

[maddezmom]

10. now, Allawi says Saddam will not be among those tried next week

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Trials against the top figures in Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s ousted regime will begin next week, interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said Tuesday, but Saddam will not be among them.


Many of Iraq (news - web sites)'s former Baath Party members have been in jail for more than a year, and few have been able to meet with counsel. Saddam's Jordan-based lawyers say they have not seen the former dictator, arrested a year ago Monday, and said holding trials so soon would be illegal.


"The Iraqi court will be in violation of the basic rights of the defendants, which is to have access to legal counsel while being interrogated and indicted," Ziad al-Khasawneh said.


Officials had given conflicting accounts about when the trials before the Iraqi Special Tribunal would begin, and have also suggested that Saddam would not be tried first. The Associated Press learned Tuesday that the proceedings next week would not involve Saddam.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=1&u=/ap/20041214/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_trials

[mark414]

11. when i saw the headline...

the first thought in my mind was

"they're putting the US on trial?"