Aziz Refuses to Testify Against Saddam

[Barrett808]

AMMAN, Jordan - Saddam Hussein's deputy Tariq Aziz has refused to testify against the former Iraqi leader at his trial, Aziz's lawyer said.

Badee Izzat Aref told Associated Press Television News that Aziz, the only Christian in

Iraq's former Baath Party leadership, was asked to appear in court as a witness for the prosecution but refused.

Aziz "has had many tempting offers to switch from being an accused to being a witness," Aref said in an interview Wednesday, a day after he met with Aziz. Aref was not available for comment on Thursday.

Aziz was allegedly involved in several party purges in the 1970s and 80s during which an unspecified number of people died. Along with ten other senior aides, Aziz and Saddam remain in U.S. custody and are expected to be brought to trial soon.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050818/ap_on_re_mi_ea/jordan_saddam

[geek tragedy]

1. What did they offer him--a prime slot in the public execution schedule?

I wonder if Aziz has family in Iraq.

[Demonaut]

2. the odd thing is Aziz is a Christian, why are they picking on him?

he's on "our" side

[geek tragedy]

5. Uh, he never was on my side. He's a Baathist through and through. eom

[Demonaut]

6. the christian coalition I meant

[CottonBear]

4. LOL! I'm sure that the plea bargain deal was hard to turn down.

:sarcasm:
I'm sure that he sent his family abroad just like Hussein and the Iraqi Information Minister, among others, did.

[CottonBear]

3. I did not expect him to testify. He was Hussein's number 2 guy.

It is interesting that it is always mentioned that he is a Christian. Apparently, his Christianity didn't prevent him from throwing in with Hussein and the other Bathists.

Edit: I'm not insulting Christians or making excuses for Hussein. We should not have invaded Iraq. That said, Hussein and Aziz are very bad and evil men. Fate and karma will not be kind to either of them.

[David__77]

7. I am anti-Baathist, but Aziz seemed like a "sane Baathist..."

Perhaps in the same way John McCain is a "sane Republican," so it doesn't mean much.

[klyon]

8. every time he spoke he was lying for Saddam

I don't care what religion he is. It does prove Iraq was secular until we invaded.

KL

[countmyvote4real]

9. That reminds me of the GOP pundits and cult.

Every time they speak they are lying for *.

And it doesn't matter what religion they profess to follow, it's still the cult of *.