Iraqi judge shot as Bush gets his money

[goforit]

<http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/04/1067708213053.html>

Iraqi judge shot as Bush gets his money
November 5, 2003

The judge behind the creation of a judicial commission investigating former officials in Saddam Hussein's regime has been shot dead, as guerillas stepped up their campaign against pro-US public figures.

The execution-style killing came as the US Senate gave final congressional approval to the largest emergency spending bill in US history - $US87.5 billion ($125 billion) for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan - and President George Bush vowed to "never run" from the mounting chaos and casualties.

Mr Bush blamed the guerilla attacks in Iraq on terrorists trying to intimidate the US. "The enemy in Iraq believes America will run, that's why they're willing to kill innocent civilians, relief workers, coalition troops," he said. "America will never run."

But in two separate speeches he made no specific reference to the helicopter downing on Sunday that killed 16 soldiers, the single deadliest attack against US troops in Iraq.

Muhan Jabr al-Shuwaili, the senior judge in Najaf, was kidnapped with the city's prosecutor-general, Aref Aziz, from the judge's house in the city early on Monday. Mr Aziz, who was later released unharmed, said they were taken to a desert area about eight kilometres north of Najaf. "One of the assailants said 'Saddam has ordered your prosecution'. Then they fired two shots into his head," Mr Aziz said. "As for me, they told me 'this does not concern you'. They released me."

Judge Shuwaili had been instrumental in setting up the Baath Investigative Commission, made up of four lawyers, to investigate complaints mainly involving members of the former ruling Baath party before they are raised with an investigative judge. The commission has received 400 complaints so far and issued 12 arrest warrants.

(con't)

[xultar]

1. Hummmm...Bloody money, now that's a gift

Shrub can use.

[DS1]

2. linking the two is disingenuous

sorry to say.