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Saudi TV Programme Probes Trial of Former Iraqi Leader Saddam

Posted on: Thursday, 1 December 2005, 09:00 CST

Al-Ikhbariyah TV on 30 November broadcast another episode of "Glances at the news", presented by Muhammad Hamdan. The trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn is the topic of this episode and the presenter hosts in the studio in Riyadh Abdallah Bin-Fahd al- Luhaydan, member of King Sa'ud University's Political Science faculty; and via satellite from Baghdad Dr Ibrahim al-Isawi, described as an activist, a political analyst and election candidate.

Hamdan begins by saying that for the first time in the Arab world a former president is in prison in his own country, which was invaded and occupied by foreign forces. He adds that Saddam Husayn is facing trial before a special tribunal along with seven of his associates. He maintains that the trial raised much controversy with regard to its legality and wonders whether the trial is a message for those concerned in the Arab world and whether the trial will continue to be adjourned indefinitely.

He then introduces his guests and begins by asking Al-Luhaydan whether the tribunal is legal since it was formed by the "occupation forces, led by the USA ". Al-Luhaydan says that the US "attack" on Iraq was not sanctioned by the UN but adds that it was not a precedent since following World War Two several Nazi leaders were tried and convicted. He adds that also several Serb and Rwandan leaders were also tried following the massacres there. He maintains that Iraq's form of government has developed much since the war on Iraq, adding that the Iraqi people have a right to try Saddam since he waged many wars. He, however, adds that the war on Iraq was illegal and that the US forces should withdraw quickly to be replaced by Arab, Islamic - or, even better, Iraqi forces - but without harming the country's security. He adds that the USA's use of this method is based on international law, although it is using it selectively.

Asked about the way the Iraqi people view the trial, Al-Isawi says that Iraqis believe that it is a US game and that Saddam Husayn has been part of this game since he came to power. He adds that Saddam did not provide anything to Iraq and that he is something from the past. He goes on to say that if the tribunal cannot deal with a war criminal he should be referred to an international court because his crimes are endless. He maintains that three quarters of the Iraqis do not support Saddam but a quarter of the population who benefited from him does. He adds that the Iraqi government should turn its attention to the people instead.

Asked whether the tribunal should refer the trial to an international tribunal, Al-Luhaydan says that those who oppose the trial believe that it is an insult to Arab pride and integrity. He adds that the problem is the involvement of the USA, with which Arabs have a problem as a result of the Palestinian issue and the US- Israeli link. He adds that Arabs believe that the trial will be a prelude for intervention in Arab issues in order to impose points of view. Asked whether the link between the two issues is realistic, he says no but this is the way things are.

Asked whether Iraqis feel the same, Al-Isawi says that Saddam is a great actor and that he humiliated the Iraqis and the Arabs. He adds, however, that the Iraqis have to confront the "occupation" but he maintains that the USA had an agreement with Saddam five years before the collapse of Saddam. He adds that the agreement was that Saddam and 275 of his associates leave Iraq for California and that the USA occupies Iraq peacefully. At this point the moderator interrupts him by saying that there are many theories in this regard.

Asked whether Saddam is really thought of as a first line of defence by Arabs, Al-Luhaydan says that Saddam is apt at stirring feelings and spreading rumours. However, he dismisses Al-Isawi's theory about a deal with Saddam but says that although the Arabs want change, they fear any foreign intervention and, therefore, view Saddam as a first line of defence. He then says that thinkers and writers should try to change the level of political thought in the Arab world.

Asked whether the Iraqi government believes Saddam should be tried abroad, Al-Isawi says that whenever there is tension, the government comes up with Saddam to calm the people. He maintains that if this "ghost" goes, the Iraqis will look forward and turn to the "occupation in Iraq", adding that the trial is used as a scarecrow. He maintains that Iraqi politicians cannot speak against the tribunal but adds that it is all a political fabrication and that the Iraqi Government should try him for all his crimes once and for all. He also maintains that Saddam will not be convicted as long as the USA stands behind him.

Asked whether it is true that the trial is a US scenario, Al- Luhaydan says that many observers believe so, but adds that the best thing is that he is tried by Iraqis, which is difficult, as he says. He adds that the other option is having a trial under UN auspices, but the current situation is opposed by many Arab observers.

Asked whether the fact that the panel of judges is Iraqi not enough evidence that the trial is being run by Iraqis, Al-Isawi says that everything that is going on in Iraq is American, including the booby traps, and that it has dominance over all the issues in Iraq. He adds that Saddam is nearly 70 years old and this will preclude a trial and a conviction. He maintains that it is all a US game.

Asked whether it is right to have foreign lawyers defending Saddam, Al-Luhaydan pleads ignorance with Iraqi law, but says that the current situation is not right, as the Iraqi government lacks total sovereignty because of the existence of 160,000 US troops.

Asked about Saddam's defence panel, Al-Isawi wonders how anyone can defend his crimes, adding that the trial is a catastrophe for the Iraqis.

Asked about Iraq's future, Al-Luhaydan speaks about the diversity of Iraqis, adding that Arab backing is now providing light at the end of the tunnel. Al-Isawi says that the Iraqi people should now elect a national government that cares for the people.

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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