Saddam trial hampered by violence in Iraq

[JoFerret]

The bitter irony of it all.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=716&e=6&u=/ap/20041003/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_saddam_trial
...
Frightened judges have withdrawn their names from consideration. Officials are reluctant to identify the new director of the Iraqi Special Tribunal that will try Saddam and 11 of his top lieutenants. And there's uncertainty whether witnesses will be brave enough to testify publicly against the men who once ruled their lives with an iron fist.

There's no shortage of witnesses, Judge Dara Nor al-Din told The Associated Press, "but they have to be protected. Their names and pictures must not be published."

Tarek, 49, was jailed, tortured and dismissed from the Iraqi air force in 1982. Now a trucker, he says he initially wanted to testify but has changed his mind.

<more>

[speedoo]

1. Capture of Sadaam was of no value in the prosecution of the war.

It gave the coWard a lift for a few months, but in the end it was worth no more than your basic PR stunt.

[Randi_Listener]

2. October Surprise?

I think Saddam may be a "Plan B" October surprise. His trial and subsequent sentencing would be headline grabbing news.