Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clarke expressed readiness Sunday, December 14, to act as defense lawyer for ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, with western analysts suspecting the captured leader would be given fair trial. "Certainly, why not. I am ready to act in his defense," Clarke told IslamOnline.net shortly after the U.S. confirmed the detention of Saddam near Tikrit.
Clarke, currently in Cairo to attend a two-day international anti-occupation conference, stressed that Saddam – however brutal – should be give a "fair, objective and impartial trial".
| I quite agree. Then he should be hung. |
"Saddam must be domestically prosecuted first and - if this fails - he should be referred to an international court," said the former American official, known for his staunch opposition to the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq. He doubted, however, that the ousted Iraqi president would be given such a fair trial. Clarke averred that neither the U.S.-installed Interim Governing Council (IGC) nor the occupation forces is eligible to try the overthrown president.
| "Nope. Sorry. Can't do it." |
"The IGC does not represent Iraq. It is Bush's council," said the former U.S. attorney general. He noted that the Iraqi body was quick to say that DNA test proved the captured man was Saddam. "Do you think that they can take the test themselves. They are puppets," Clarke maintained.
| Did that statement make any sense? Didn't think so... |
For the occupation forces to take over the trial, he dismissed this as a would-be ridiculous proposal.
| It was the occupation forces that hung the Nazis... |
"Occupation of Iraq is in itself an international crime" and runs counter to common decency and moral integrity. Asked if Saddam could be taken to the International Criminal Court, the former U.S. attorney general whimsically ruled out the suggestion, noting Washington does not even recognize the court. |