CAIRO, Oct 6
(Reuters) - Supporters of Saddam Hussein are trying
to negotiate with the United States a halt to
attacks in return for a pledge that the former Iraqi
leader will not be executed, Iraq's president was on
Thursday quoted as saying.
Jalal Talabani said in an interview with Egypt's al-Ahram
newspaper that supporters of Saddam, ousted by
U.S.-led forces in 2003, were among those behind
insurgent attacks in Iraq.
"Despite that, the Saddamists are trying now to
negotiate with the Americans on stopping the
operations in exchange for not executing Saddam in
the trial which is about to start," Talabani said.
Iraq's special tribunal, the court set up to try
Saddam, confirmed on Monday that the former
president would be tried on Oct. 19 for crimes
against humanity, but said it had the right to delay
the trial.
In a statement, the tribunal said Saddam and six
others, including his former vice-president and his
half-brother, would be tried in connection with the
deaths of 143 Shi'ite men from the village of Dujail
following an 1982 assassination attempt.
Saddam faces execution if found guilty. |
Iraqi
President : Jalal Talabani
Former dictator
Saddam Hussein
Photo : AP
|
® 