Kaymara
03-15-2006, 07:39 AM
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/03/15/saddam.trial/index.html
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Saddam Hussein has taken the stand for the first time at his war crimes trial in Baghdad, calling himself president of Iraq and "commander of militant forces."
He is on trial with seven others in his former regime for alleged war crimes in Dujail, a small town north of Baghdad after a failed assassination attempt against him in 1982.
Hussein gave his name and date of birth. When he was asked for his qualifications, he said: "The president of Iraq."
"I am Saddam Hussein al-Majid, president of Iraq and commander of militant forces," said Hussein, who also said that God had trusted him to lead Iraq.
It is unclear whether that could be a reference to the insurgency.
The judge told Hussein he had plenty of time to provide testimony in the case, in which more than 140 Shiite males were killed in a government crackdown.
CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson, who was in court, said Hussein's demeanor was not as sweeping and theatrical.
"He walked in swiftly, with his shoulders bent and head down. He didn't acknowledge his defense team, apparently expecting a tough session," he said.
Hussein made remarks from a written statement, and said he considered the court illegitimate.
Wearing a black suit and standing before the chief judge, Hussein called the trial a "comedy," according to The Associated Press.
He then addressed the Iraqi people about sectarian violence that has rocked the country since the bombing of a major Shiite shrine last month.
"What pains me most is what I heard recently about something that aims to harm our people," Saddam said, according to AP.
"My conscience tells me that the great people of Iraq have nothing to do with these acts," he said referring to the bombing of the shrine in the city of Samarra.
Chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman interrupted saying he was not allowed to give political speeches in the court. "I am the head of state," Saddam replied. "You used to be a head of state. You are a defendant now," Abdel-Rahman said.
The judge then closed the proceeding to the media after Hussein called for Iraqis to join together and fight the occupying forces.
Last month, Hussein admitted in court that he ordered the Shiites to be put on trial before his Revolutionary Court, but said it was his right to do so because they were suspected of trying to kill him.
Hussein's half-brother, former intelligence chief Barzan Hassan, denied he took part in crackdown as he testified Wednesday. (Full story)
One of the defendants, Awad Bandar -- the former chief judge of the Revolutionary Court -- admitted on Monday that he sentenced the 148 Shiites to death but he maintained they received a fair trial and had confessed to trying to assassinate the former Iraqi leader.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Saddam Hussein has taken the stand for the first time at his war crimes trial in Baghdad, calling himself president of Iraq and "commander of militant forces."
He is on trial with seven others in his former regime for alleged war crimes in Dujail, a small town north of Baghdad after a failed assassination attempt against him in 1982.
Hussein gave his name and date of birth. When he was asked for his qualifications, he said: "The president of Iraq."
"I am Saddam Hussein al-Majid, president of Iraq and commander of militant forces," said Hussein, who also said that God had trusted him to lead Iraq.
It is unclear whether that could be a reference to the insurgency.
The judge told Hussein he had plenty of time to provide testimony in the case, in which more than 140 Shiite males were killed in a government crackdown.
CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson, who was in court, said Hussein's demeanor was not as sweeping and theatrical.
"He walked in swiftly, with his shoulders bent and head down. He didn't acknowledge his defense team, apparently expecting a tough session," he said.
Hussein made remarks from a written statement, and said he considered the court illegitimate.
Wearing a black suit and standing before the chief judge, Hussein called the trial a "comedy," according to The Associated Press.
He then addressed the Iraqi people about sectarian violence that has rocked the country since the bombing of a major Shiite shrine last month.
"What pains me most is what I heard recently about something that aims to harm our people," Saddam said, according to AP.
"My conscience tells me that the great people of Iraq have nothing to do with these acts," he said referring to the bombing of the shrine in the city of Samarra.
Chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman interrupted saying he was not allowed to give political speeches in the court. "I am the head of state," Saddam replied. "You used to be a head of state. You are a defendant now," Abdel-Rahman said.
The judge then closed the proceeding to the media after Hussein called for Iraqis to join together and fight the occupying forces.
Last month, Hussein admitted in court that he ordered the Shiites to be put on trial before his Revolutionary Court, but said it was his right to do so because they were suspected of trying to kill him.
Hussein's half-brother, former intelligence chief Barzan Hassan, denied he took part in crackdown as he testified Wednesday. (Full story)
One of the defendants, Awad Bandar -- the former chief judge of the Revolutionary Court -- admitted on Monday that he sentenced the 148 Shiites to death but he maintained they received a fair trial and had confessed to trying to assassinate the former Iraqi leader.