He insisted that he be referred to as "president of the Republic of Iraq" and asked who the judge was and under what authority he was holding the hearing.
The judge, who officials have refused to identify for security reasons, said he represented the Iraqi people and acted under coalition authority.
"So you are an Iraqi representing the coalition forces?" Saddam asked.
"No," the judge replied. "I am an Iraqi representing the Iraqi judicial system."
Speaking in strong tones, as if he was still commander in chief, the 67-year-old Saddam offered a bit of advice.
"The judicial system in Iraq always represents the will of the people," he said. "You should not work according to the law of the occupying forces; these are invading forces."
...He brushed off the charges, suggesting he had immunity as Iraq's president. And he refused to sign a statement listing the accusations.
"Please allow me not to sign until the lawyers are present. ... Anyhow, when you take a procedure to bring me here again, present me with all these papers with the presence of lawyers. Why would you behave in a manner that we might call hasty later on?" he said.
Iraq Net article
The judge, who officials have refused to identify for security reasons, said he represented the Iraqi people and acted under coalition authority.
"So you are an Iraqi representing the coalition forces?" Saddam asked.
"No," the judge replied. "I am an Iraqi representing the Iraqi judicial system."
Speaking in strong tones, as if he was still commander in chief, the 67-year-old Saddam offered a bit of advice.
"The judicial system in Iraq always represents the will of the people," he said. "You should not work according to the law of the occupying forces; these are invading forces."
...He brushed off the charges, suggesting he had immunity as Iraq's president. And he refused to sign a statement listing the accusations.
"Please allow me not to sign until the lawyers are present. ... Anyhow, when you take a procedure to bring me here again, present me with all these papers with the presence of lawyers. Why would you behave in a manner that we might call hasty later on?" he said.
Something tells me this trial business won't be a cakewalk. I wonder how long Mr. Hussein will live. Surely he has some health problem that we haven't previously known about.
In the United States, President Bush (news - web sites) watched a televised replay of the hearing, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan, who brushed off reporters' questions about Saddam's remarks on Bush.
"I'm sure Saddam Hussein will continue to say all sorts of things," McClellan said. "What's important is that Saddam Hussein and his regime leaders are going to face justice from the Iraqi people before an Iraqi court."
"I'm sure Saddam Hussein will continue to say all sorts of things," McClellan said. "What's important is that Saddam Hussein and his regime leaders are going to face justice from the Iraqi people before an Iraqi court."
"Under coalition authority."
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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