U.S. Sees Chances of Saddam Trial in 2004 'Remote'

[Barrett808]

U.S. Sees Chances of Saddam Trial in 2004 'Remote'
Fri Sep 24,12:31 PM ET
By Ibon Villelabeitia

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The chances of trying former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2004 are remote, a U.S. official said Friday, casting doubt on remarks by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi who said the trial could begin as early as October.

Allawi, who has urged Iraq's Special Tribunal to speed up proceedings against Saddam and his associates, has said he wants the trial to begin next month, before elections set for January.

But the U.S. official told reporters: "If you are talking of a Saddam Hussein trial in 2004, I think that is remote. It's a very difficult schedule to meet ...

"You are talking of a 25-year period with numerous and large crime bases and the investigation has to take place in all those crime bases. It is almost October," said the official, who part of a team of Americans advising the tribunal.

Court officials have argued the tribunal, set up shortly after Saddam's regime was toppled, needs at least a year to delve into tons of documents and prepare trials that will examine the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis.

The former tribunal head, Salem Chalabi, Thursday accused Allawi of manipulating the court to boost his popularity and planning hasty show trials and executions.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&e=5&u=/nm/20040924/ts_nm/iraq_trial_dc_3

[Newsjock]

1. Don't want that nasty evidence coming out before the election

No, wouldn't be prudent.

"Thank you, America" indeed.

[Nicholas_J]

2. I dont think Hussein

will ever make it to trial.