Saddam "ready for court" despite two-week fast--US

[Barrett808]

BAGHDAD, July 21 (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein is fit enough for a court appearance on Monday despite completing a second week on hunger strike, his American jailers said on Friday.

"Saddam Hussein and his fellow co-defendants are medically fit to go back to court. We are ensuring they receive proper care and attention," a spokesman for the U.S. military detention system in Iraq said in an e-mail response to a question.

Saddam and three of the seven people on trial with him for crimes against humanity last ate on the evening of July 7.

They are due back in court in Baghdad on Monday for the defence summing up but have been protesting at a decision to appoint counsel for them due to a boycott by their own lawyers. The lawyers are seeking better protection and other concessions after a third of their number was killed in Baghdad last week.

"The defence team of President Saddam and his comrades calls on the United Nations ... and international and Arab organisations concerned with prisoners of war, fair trials and human rights to intervene immediately and press to meet our fair demands," the lawyers said in a statement on Friday.

(more)

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAC173263.htm

[MADem]

1. He wants to drop a few pounds, I guess

He's on the SLIMFAST plan: They said the 69-year-old Saddam's health was at risk. But the U.S. military says he is being closely monitored by doctors and is drinking sweet coffee and other liquid nourishment.

Didn't he threaten to do this awhile back, and just skipped lunch???

[Bush_MUST_Go]

2. Yes, he skipped one meal. lol The sooner he's dead, the better.

[daleo]

3. Maybe he is afraid of being poisoned

Or being "heart attacked", as I suspect Ken Lay was.

Things seem to be getting desperate in Iraq, though, so the U.S. may want to keep Saddam going "just in case he is needed".

[SoCalDem]

4. They should have sent him to the Hague and been done with it

This whole dog and pony show is getting old.. Lock his ass up and throw away the key.. Killing him only makes him a martyr to those who still support him..

[nevergiveup]

5. Just guessing....

He will be sentenced to death the week-end before the Nov. election.

[NYC Liberal]

6. Along with a brand new video from our old buddy Osama.

[VegasWolf]

7. It's hard to get all worked up about Saddam when Bush has killed so

many more people for oil and Haliburton.