(no subject)

[mrph]

Saddam Hussein has confessed to crimes during his regime - including executions - and deserves to die, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said.

Mr Talabani told Iraqi state TV a judge "was able to extract confessions" from the ousted leader.

Saddam's scum - no argument there. But that speech sounds more like something we'd expect to hear from him than from a new, democratic government, doesn't it? Especially as his trial hasn't actually started yet.

Comments

[taoist-goth.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised you are surprised by this, and refer you to George Orwell's "Animal Farm" for a full treatise on what happens when power is given to the formerly powerless.

[taoist-goth.livejournal.com]

In fact, I can't think of a single government that the US has given power to that has turned out to be uncorrupt and reasonable.

[tenuous.livejournal.com]

I agree. I'd have been surprised if Talabani had gone on air to dismiss the 'confession' and insist everyone wait until the trial proper. Fortunately he didn't disappoint.

With some Iraqi Government officials are already suggesting that if he's convicted of the Dujail atrocities they should drop all other charges to pave the way for a quick execution; I think the deposed leader is destined to live in interesting times.

[(Anonymous)]

That would be in a number of peoples intrests - get him convicted (and executed) over a purely internal matter. Means the interim govenment (and the US) gain a boost in popularity for getting rid of the Big Bad wolf for what he did to the Iraqi people (and delivering a heavy blow to the Bathist elements of the resistance) while avoiding getting round to charges where he could reveal the extent of western support for him in the war against Iran (and what the west knew about internal affairs in Iraq and turned a blind eye to).

[the-lady-lily.livejournal.com]

Hmm. In a way, I was - well, not surprised, because my guess is that the lawyers and so forth have been chatting and waiting to see what the deal is, and may have persuaded Saddam that this is the most sensible way to go. However, Mr Talabani has also said that there is video footage of the admission being made. I hope that is made public, mainly because it should allow us to make our own judgement on the seriousness of such a confession. Plus, when he gets into the witness box at the trial, we may find the confession rescinded immediately. You just don't know, and to be honest I think something like this was to be expected under the circumstances (after all, it also provides a good morale-booster for the state).

What's rather more interesting is the debate on the death penalty. Good for Mr Talabani refusing to sign a warrant for it.