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Saddam Prosecution Focusing on 12 Counts
6.6.2005
Published on June 05 |
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BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Saddam Hussein will go on
trial within two months on charges of crimes against
humanity, with prosecutors focusing on 12
"thoroughly documented" counts, including the
gassing of thousands of Kurds in northern Iraq, a
spokesman for Iraq's prime minister said Sunday.
Saddam's trial could prove to be highly divisive in
an already turbulent Iraq that shows signs of
deepening sectarian divisions. Reflecting these
tensions, the Shiite-led Iraqi government
acknowledged Sunday that its forces may have
targeted innocent Sunni Muslims in a drive to crush
the insurgency in southwestern Baghdad and its
suburbs. |
Photo : Saddam, AP
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Starting the court proceedings against Saddam in two
months would overlap with the writing of the
constitution.
"There should be no objection that a trial should
take place within that time," said Laith Kuba, a
spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
"It is the government's view that the trial of
Saddam should take place as soon as possible."
Kuba said the attack with chemical weapons on the
Kurdish town of Halabja was one of the charges, but
did not elaborate on the other 11. An estimated
5,000 people were killed in Halabja and 10,000
others were hurt in the gassing on March 16, 1988.
In recent days, Sunni Muslim organizations have
charged that many innocent Iraqis have been arrested
in the drive to crush the insurgency and most were
Sunnis, the minority that dominated the country
during Saddam's rule and are believed to form the
insurgency's backbone.
"There is an improvement in security and in the
performance of the security forces, but members of
the army and police do cause mistakes, which do
happen," Kuba said.
There were also some claims that "soldiers took
advantage and helped themselves to cash and other
items. One doesn't rule it out. I think the army
needs more disciplinary measures in these cases,"
Kuba said.
Regardless of the complaints and the acknowledged
mistakes, the crackdown - dubbed Operation Lighting
- entered its second week Sunday and appeared to
have somewhat blunted insurgent attacks in the
capital.
The charges of overzealous behavior by the military
and police as they seek to roust the insurgents
coincide with government efforts to include Sunni
Arabs in the political process, and to get them
involved in drafting Iraq's new constitution. Sunni
approval is necessary for the charter's adoption in
a national referendum. It is to be ready by
mid-August and approved nationwide in an October
vote.
"We should not forget the bigger picture, which is
that the security forces have a duty to combat the
(terrorist) cells that take out their anger and
violence on the Iraqi people," Kuba said.
Although the government has not provided fresh
figures on the number of Iraqis arrested so far, the
Interior Ministry said last Thursday that 700 people
had been detained. The U.S. military said Friday it
had detained at least 200 more during a two-day
sweep south of Baghdad in an area known as the
Triangle of Death.
The worst mistake, already acknowledged by top
government officials, occurred on the second day of
Operation Lightning, when U.S. forces arrested and
later released the leader of Iraq's largest Sunni
Arab political party. Kuba said that at least 200
other people had been released so far.
Operation Lightning aimed in its first week to seal
Baghdad's entry points to prevent access to the
capital for car bombers. It also focused on areas of
southern and western Baghdad - which have
predominantly Sunni Arab populations and are the
capital's most violent districts.
"Our military has taken the offensive now, taking
the fight to the insurgents. This operation really
will ensure better security for the capital," Iraqi
Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told CNN's "Late
Edition" during a visit to Washington.
Zebari also said Saddam's trial would have a
positive "impact on the security situation" in Iraq,
and should begin the "sooner the better."
Kuba, the prime minister's spokesman, said
investigating judges believe Saddam will be
convicted on 12 "thoroughly documented" charges,
"The judges are confidant that he will be convicted
of these charges," Kuba said.
A spokesman for Saddam's legal team, Issam Ghazawi,
criticized Kuba's comments, saying the accusations
should be made through the court and the lawyers
should receive a copy of the indictment.
A key element of Washington's exit strategy from
Iraq hinges on the ability of Iraq's
American-trained police and military to take control
of security. The insurgency has killed at least 836
people since the government took power just over one
month ago.
In Mosul, authorities announced the capture of the
purported financier of the al-Qaida in Iraq group's
cell in that northern city. Mutlaq Mahmoud Mutlaq
Abdullah, also known as Abu Raad, was arrested on
May 29 and is believed linked to the head of Abu
Musab al-Zarqawi's terror cell in Mosul. The arrest
in Mosul was the second in seven days of an accused
terror leader.
Also Sunday, Australia's top Islamic cleric said he
had seen hostage Douglas Wood and said the
63-year-old California-based Australian engineer is
"still alive and in honest hands. " Sheik Taj El Din
al-Hilaly is in Iraq on a mission to secure Wood's
release and said the kidnap victim had received
medication for his heart condition.
The Australian was abducted in late April and a
militant group calling itself the Shura Council of
the Mujahedeen of Iraq released a video recording on
May 1 that showed the captive pleading for Australia
to withdraw its 1,400 troops from Iraq.
In Kirkuk, gunmen killed a translator working for
the U.S.-led forces in Kirkuk, said police Lt. Hawar
Mohammed.
Gunmn in eastern Baghdad opened fire on Iraqi
security forces, killing a policewoman, Col. Ahmed
al-Alawi said. Police are routinely targeted by
insurgents who regard them as U.S. collaborators. In
western Baghdad, an Iraqi truck driver was also
killed in a drive-by shooting while transporting
concrete blast walls for the U.S. military, said
police Lt. Akram al-Zubaee.
AP |
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