WP: U.S. May Cede Legal Custody Of Hussein

[kskiska]

Ex-Leader Would Stay In American Hands

Wednesday, June 16, 2004; Page A01

BAGHDAD, June 15 -- The United States intends to transfer legal custody of former president Saddam Hussein to Iraq's interim government if asked by the country's new prime minister, the administrator of the U.S. occupation, L. Paul Bremer, said Tuesday. But Bremer indicated that the U.S. military would continue to retain physical custody of Hussein until the Iraqi government has an appropriate detention facility to hold him.

"If they ask for him, which I have every reason to believe they will . . . we'll turn him over," Bremer said. He added, however, that "legal custody and physical custody can be two separate things."

The interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, has been discussing the handover of Hussein with U.S. occupation authorities, although it was not clear whether he was seeking physical as well as legal custody of Hussein and other imprisoned former Iraqi leaders. Allawi said Monday night that Hussein and his lieutenants should be transferred to Iraqi control in two weeks, after the country recovers formal sovereignty on June 30.

"We have specific promises on this from the coalition authority, and the negotiations are under way," Allawi told CNN on Tuesday.

"We've been talking to him about it," Bremer said. "Allawi has been clear that he's going to ask."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43004-2004Jun15.html

[Kagemusha]

1. I'm trying to be fair. This doesn't sound so bad.

However, Iraq must charge him with a crime within a reasonable amount of time then.

[Cocoa]

2. legal custody schmegal custody

we're NOT letting go of Saddam Hussein, and he's NOT going to live to stand trial.

[dweller]

3. same announced on local NBC affiliate

would be turning over BadSaddam (as they said quoting GW *moron) as sooooooooon as the security in Iraq is .....um, secure.

okay, i paraphrased the quote, but it sounds legit.
dp

[foo_bar]

4. "legal custody and illegal custody can be two separate things"

[paulthompson]

5. this is so appropriate

It's exactly what they're doing with the country as a whole, isn't it? Transferring the title, but keeping the real control.