Iraq preparing to enter lock down ahead of Saddam verdict

[ck4829]

Iraq's beleaguered armed forces were ordered on high alert ahead of the verdict in the trial of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, while a US spy chief made an unannounced visit to Baghdad.

As Iraq stepped up security, the US military said that eight more of its troops had been killed around the country and that the bodies of 23 murdered Iraqis had been found in Baghdad over the previous 24 hours.

The Iraqi High Tribunal trying Saddam for crimes against humanity will deliver its verdict on Sunday, and Iraq has cancelled all military leave to thwart any outbreak of violence before or after the ruling.

"All military personnel are on alert. Leave has been cancelled and we are on alert for any possible emergency. Those on leave should report to their units," said defence ministry spokesman Major General Ibrahim Shaker.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061103/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_061103175405

Thanks a lot, Bush. Your October or November Surprise, whatever you want to call it, could get innocent people killed. I hope you're happy. You won't win next Tuesday and this is just more proof that you've already lost your soul.

[Joe for Clark]

1. I think we can certainly predict - that no matter the verdict -

This is NOT going to go well this weekend.

Joe