Subversive Pessimist
28th July 2004, 19:07
Saddam could die before his trial (http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=2768)
7/28/2004 4:30:00 PM GMT
Source: Daily Record
http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/pics/2768.jpg
'When we last saw President Hussein on television he looked quite ill.
Saddam Hussein has suffered a stroke, his lawyers said today.
His lawyers say that the former Iraqi President might de before his full trial.
Saddam’s defence team is still trying to get a permission to see their client, but said they had information from the Red Cross that his health has majorly deteriorated.
Saddam’s lawyers who include former Dundee director Giovanni di Stefano, are demanding that their own doctor be allowed to see Saddam.
Jordanian lawyer Mohammed al-Rashdan said: 'We're very worried that we won't have a client to defend.'
He added: 'Our information is that he's in very poor health.
'We understand from the International Committee of the Red Cross that our client has had a brain scan to discover how badly he has been affected by the stroke.
'We believe he could die because of his health problems. We also think an attempt may be made on his life.'
Al-Rashdan also said: 'We've been told he has suffered from a number of headaches, has had a heart problem of some kind and then this stroke. He has also lost a great deal of weight.
'We don't understand why our request to send our own doctor to check onhim has been refused.
'When we last saw President Hussein on television he looked quite ill.
'Under the Geneva Convention we're entitled to have access to our client. But all our requests have been ignored.' And Rashdan added: 'I think President Bush and Prime Minister Blair would be happier if he died from ill health. Then the problem would go away.'
Earlier this month, Saddam appeared in an Iraqi courtroom, when he was read seven charges against him that may lead to a formal indictment for war crimes.
Mr al-Rashdan said Saddam’s defence team attempts to him had so far been blocked.
He speculated Saddam’s health could get much worse if a trial was not held soon. "We believe any trial could be months, if not years, away," he said.
I don't know about you, but I think Saddam has the right to explain himself to the world. It would be a shame if he would die. I'm sure he has a lot of accusations to be confronted with. Blair has admitted that the 400 000 mass graves claim was untrue, so I think it is even more important that he gets to tell the truth. Also, because Interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawir insists the country will soon reinstate the death penalty (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4BE1EEC5-D6DC-4784-B9BB-8CB33731F040.htm), it could look like they are going to execute the old man.
Personally, I think for the US, it would be better that they made him die by a heart attack or something. If they would execute him, he would be praised as a martyr.
7/28/2004 4:30:00 PM GMT
Source: Daily Record
http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/pics/2768.jpg
'When we last saw President Hussein on television he looked quite ill.
Saddam Hussein has suffered a stroke, his lawyers said today.
His lawyers say that the former Iraqi President might de before his full trial.
Saddam’s defence team is still trying to get a permission to see their client, but said they had information from the Red Cross that his health has majorly deteriorated.
Saddam’s lawyers who include former Dundee director Giovanni di Stefano, are demanding that their own doctor be allowed to see Saddam.
Jordanian lawyer Mohammed al-Rashdan said: 'We're very worried that we won't have a client to defend.'
He added: 'Our information is that he's in very poor health.
'We understand from the International Committee of the Red Cross that our client has had a brain scan to discover how badly he has been affected by the stroke.
'We believe he could die because of his health problems. We also think an attempt may be made on his life.'
Al-Rashdan also said: 'We've been told he has suffered from a number of headaches, has had a heart problem of some kind and then this stroke. He has also lost a great deal of weight.
'We don't understand why our request to send our own doctor to check onhim has been refused.
'When we last saw President Hussein on television he looked quite ill.
'Under the Geneva Convention we're entitled to have access to our client. But all our requests have been ignored.' And Rashdan added: 'I think President Bush and Prime Minister Blair would be happier if he died from ill health. Then the problem would go away.'
Earlier this month, Saddam appeared in an Iraqi courtroom, when he was read seven charges against him that may lead to a formal indictment for war crimes.
Mr al-Rashdan said Saddam’s defence team attempts to him had so far been blocked.
He speculated Saddam’s health could get much worse if a trial was not held soon. "We believe any trial could be months, if not years, away," he said.
I don't know about you, but I think Saddam has the right to explain himself to the world. It would be a shame if he would die. I'm sure he has a lot of accusations to be confronted with. Blair has admitted that the 400 000 mass graves claim was untrue, so I think it is even more important that he gets to tell the truth. Also, because Interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawir insists the country will soon reinstate the death penalty (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4BE1EEC5-D6DC-4784-B9BB-8CB33731F040.htm), it could look like they are going to execute the old man.
Personally, I think for the US, it would be better that they made him die by a heart attack or something. If they would execute him, he would be praised as a martyr.