BAGHDAD (AFP) - The United States and Iraq are close to a deal to transfer ousted dictator Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) into Iraqi legal custody although he will remain under the lock and key of US wardens, a coalition source told AFP. Saddam will be under Iraq's legal jurisdiction, but the US-led coalition would still guard the former head of state, the source said. "This is the arrangement we're close to reaching," the source said, adding: "This is probably what's going to happen."
| I like this a lot. We'll guard Sammy until the Iraqis get their baby ducks in a row for the trial. |
US overseer Paul Bremer broached the possibility of such an arrangement Tuesday after US President George W. Bush expressed fears that the Iraqis could not guarantee Saddam stayed behind bars. "If they ask for him, which I have every reason to believe they will ... we'll turn him over," Bremer told the Washington Post, adding that "legal custody and physical custody can be two separate things."
Iraq's Justice Minister Malek Duhan al-Hassan said he believed America would turn over the toppled dictator who once struck fear into the hearts of millions, but the US-led coalition's help was necessary. "Saddam Hussein will be under our responsibility after June 30 but we can ask the coalition to provide additional support to guard him for an undetermined period of time," said the justice minister. "We are ready to guarantee the protection of Saddam Hussein, but given the difficult security situation and if we feel we have the need, we can cooperate on this question with the coalition," Hassan said. "But this is for us to decide," the minister said, reflecting the desire for his government to take charge of the deposed president, blamed for many of the deaths and disappearances of hundreds of thousands during the Baath party's 35-years of authoritarian rule.
| Sounds like they decided. |
Human Rights Minister Bakhtiar Amin said the US-led coalition and Iraq needed to forge a partnership not just on Saddam but also on the 4,000-5,000 prisoners they US-dominated forces have said they would detain. "The security dossier, including the detention of prisoners, is the object of a partnership between us and the coalition," he said.
Iraqi spokesman Gurgis Sada said he believed the Americans wanted to be sure Saddam was in a secure facility after Bush said Tuesday he needed to know the jailed dictator would not be released. "I think the Americans wanted assurances, by their guarantees, that all details will be taken care of before transfer," he said. |