Handing Saddam back to Iraq..

[Guest INXS]

The BBC news story

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi says the US-led coalition will soon hand over high-profile detainees - including Saddam Hussein - to Iraqi custody. "The handover will take place within the next two weeks," Mr Allawi told Arabic television station al-Jazeera. A senior US official would only say Washington was "receptive" to Iraqi ideas about their former leader's fate.

 

I think it's only fair that the Iraqi people get to try Saddam and punish him but I hope to God that they don't screw this up.

[Art Sandusky]

It's probably better that they get him, the're allowed to be more harsh in Arab countries and get away with it.

[Guest INXS]

I was thinking that too, perhaps he'll get the death penalty there. On a related issue, wont tryign Saddam in Iraq cause further tension with Saddam supporters/terrorists attempting to disrupt the trial?

[kkktookmybabyaway]

Iraq needs to focus on getting ready to run things on their own.

 

Just hand Saddam to the U.N. for a trial -- he'll still be there when Iraq is ready to deal with him, and it's not like the U.N. would have gotten any trial started...

[Guest Cerebus]

It will be critical as a gesture to Iraqi sovereignty to hand over Saddam to the new gov't (maybe we could do it as one of our first official acts to the new gov't after June 30th). Even Bush isn't thickheaded enough not to realize it.

[Vyce]

We definitely want to give him to them in enough time so that they can try him and execute him as he so justly deserves.

 

If the U.N. steps in, they'll screw it up, and we'll likely get another Milosovic-like trial where it'll be 10 years from now and Saddam will still be in court refuting the charges against him.

[Guest MikeSC]

We definitely want to give him to them in enough time so that they can try him and execute him as he so justly deserves.

 

If the U.N. steps in, they'll screw it up, and we'll likely get another Milosovic-like trial where it'll be 10 years from now and Saddam will still be in court refuting the charges against him.

I'm just worried that they'll drop the ball and get him off.

-=Mike

[Highland]

There are some cases where the Middle East has a better justice system than we do: Extradict the fucker.

[Guest INXS]

I just realized something - in the interests of having a fair and credible trial, is it the best plan to try Saddam in Iraq? Saddam commited his acts of genocide and oppression in Iraq so it stands to reason that any Iraqi court will be automatically biased.

 

I'm not saying that Saddam "deserves a break" but in the interests of a credible trial I think he should be tried by an independant court of law.

[Guest MikeSC]

I just realized something - in the interests of having a fair and credible trial, is it the best plan to try Saddam in Iraq? Saddam commited his acts of genocide and oppression in Iraq so it stands to reason that any Iraqi court will be automatically biased.

 

I'm not saying that Saddam "deserves a break" but in the interests of a credible trial I think he should be tried by an independant court of law.

Such as where?

 

If you say the Hague, prepare to get torn to shreds.

-=Mike

[Guest INXS]

Well, where else is there? Obviously it has to be an independent court. Oh, and "tear me to shreads". Scary boy.

 

In addition, i'm also concerned that if Saddam is tried in Iraq then his supporters or indeed terrorists who want to further disrupt the region, will focus on disrupting any trial not to mention targetting any members of any jury.

 

Do you think he should be tried in Iraq or not?

[Guest Hero to all Children]

I don't think the Arab world WANTS an unbiased trial.

 

And hand him over, he's a pow and they have to be releasd unless they are bening tried for warcrimes the moment a country regains it's sovereignity after war.

 

And .. I don't think it's really the Saddam loyalists who do most of the terrorist attacks.

[Highland]

Well, where else is there? Obviously it has to be an independent court. Oh, and "tear me to shreads". Scary boy.

 

In addition, i'm also concerned that if Saddam is tried in Iraq then his supporters or indeed terrorists who want to further disrupt the region, will focus on disrupting any trial not to mention targetting any members of any jury.

 

Do you think he should be tried in Iraq or not?

Yes.

 

Though you do raise very valid points, for the reasons you listed as well as many others he must be tried in Iraq. If they capitulate now whenever the terrorist strike at them, especially in a matter a important (symbolic and otherwise) as this, then Iraq will be seen as an easy target by extremists.

[Guest MikeSC]

Well, where else is there? Obviously it has to be an independent court. Oh, and "tear me to shreads". Scary boy.

Of course, that many of the countries who would be involved in such a venture were IN CAHOOTS with him seems --- as per usual --- totally lost on you.

In addition, i'm also concerned that if Saddam is tried in Iraq then his supporters or indeed terrorists who want to further disrupt the region, will focus on disrupting any trial not to mention targetting any members of any jury.

 

Do you think he should be tried in Iraq or not?

I think he should be killed in custody immediately. Have him suffer a heart attack.

-=Mike

[Kahran Ramsus]

I know Mike is worried that they will let him go, but there is really no other option than to let him be tried in Iraq. I seriously doubt that there will be anything other than a guilty verdict, and in fact the new regime needs one to survive. Death is an option, but not preferable and he absolutely cannot be tried by any foreign (ie. American) or international court. This is a situation that the new Iraqi government has to deal with and nobody else.