California Conservative

Opening arguments for the criminal case against Saddam Hussein, 68, and seven former members of his regime took place in Baghdad today in the Green Zone.

A continuance was granted the defense, making the trial start officially November 28, 2005.

Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin, a Kurd, had this exchange with the former dictator of Iraq:

Judge Amin: “Please state your name.”

Saddam: “You know me. You are an Iraqi and you know who I am. Who are you? I want to know who you are. The occupation is illegitimate. I retain my constitutional rights as the president of Iraq.”

Judge Amin: “You are Saddam Hussein al-Majid … former president of Iraq.”

Saddam: (raised his finger to interrupt) “I did not say former president. I do not respond to this so-called court, with all due respect to its people, and I retain my constitutional right as the president of Iraq.” (brushing off the judge’s attempts to interrupt him) “Neither do I recognize the body that has designated and authorized you, nor the aggression because all that has been built on false basis is false.”

Judge Amin: “Mr. Saddam, go ahead. Are you guilty or innocent?”

Saddam: “Innocent.”

Former vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan also refused to identify himself to the judge. “I repeat what President Saddam Hussein has said,” he added. The other defendants stood one by one and stated their names.

In a poignant moment, the head prosecuting attorney, as he made his opening statement against Saddam Hussein his former cabinet, pointed his finger in the air with emotion; the purple indelible ink from the election on the Iraq Constitution still quite visible.

The retort of Saddam, “The occupation is illegitimate,” must have given warm fuzzies to Cindy Sheehan and the rest of the anti-war movement as they gained yet another international spokesperson for their effort. Saddam’s statement is simply more proof that they are on the same page.

The beginning of the trial buttressed already known facts: that although this trial may not be carried out exactly as it would be in the United States, Iraq is making incredible progress. The fervor and hutzpah with which the defendants, prosecutor and judges expressed themselves may appear unsophisticated, but it is no different than the fervor with which the feisty parliaments of Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Taiwan or other countries conduct themselves. The professionalism with which the Chief Judge handled the courtroom has won the praise of his international contemporaries.

The recent election on the Iraq Constitution, as evidenced by the ink stained fingers predominantly displayed by Iraqis in the courtroom, was a testament to the will and bravery of this resilient people. Without their cooperation and initiative, the election would not have been carried out by Iraqis, with only coalition forces as back up. These Iraqi people are like all others: desiring freedom and self-government, and they are making it happen. Shame on agenda driven politicians for attempting to deprive Iraqis of this great gift of freedom. In the face of terrorists and suicide bombers, dialogue and compromise, diversity and tolerance, Iraqis have stepped up to the plate and are continually scoring for their country. Their backbone, courage, intelligence and effectiveness puts American liberals to shame. Iraqis have been sold short, presumed by war dissenters to be either too stupid or too animalistic to be afforded the luxury of self-government and responsibility.

The Iraqi indelible inked finger has become the new way to give “the finger” to naysayers. More power to you, Iraq.

Cross-posted at: Amy’s Blog

UPDATE:
PoliticalTeen has video

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 19th, 2005 at 7:51 am and is filed under Author: Amy Proctor, Crime, Iraq, Law. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.