Trial could give Saddam powerful platform

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.reuters.com/locales/newsArticle.jsp?type=worldNews&locale=en_IN&storyID=4004415

<snip>"He could also try to ensure that the trial turns into a big embarrassment for the United States. He'd try and call all kinds of dignitaries as witnesses, including people like Donald Rumsfeld," Scharf said.

Rumsfeld, now U.S. defense secretary, visited Iraq and met with Saddam 20 years ago as a special envoy from then-President Ronald Reagan, promoting a close military and commercial relationship that only ended when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

Washington helped Saddam obtain intelligence and military equipment and, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control Document placed in the Senate record last year, Iraq also obtained from the United States biological agents that could have been turned into weapons.

The United States at the time was supporting Iraq in its war against the old U.S. nemesis Iran, and Washington stood mutely by when Saddam used chemical weapons both against Iranian forces and against Kurdish people inside Iraq.

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[LeftHander]

1. Likely hear "Died while under interrogation"

Sometime in the next few weeks or months.

It will be a "heart attack".

[0007]

2. When the goin' get tough, the tough get goin' and Saddam will be dead.

Can't have anyone bad mouthing Ronnie baby, can we?

I have a feeling there is a scheme to this adminsistation and their dementia that we haven't discovered yet. Can't believe how stupid they are, but then again what do I know?

[papau]

3. This will not be allowed to start until after 04 election, lest Bush evil

come out into the public eye.

[Gloria]

4. Here's a great piece by Jim Lobe that gives the whole play by play....

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/EL17Ak01.html

Rumsfeld and his 'old friend' Saddam
By Jim Lobe

WASHINGTON - At last in United States military captivity, ousted former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein will soon mark an important 20th anniversary, the kind of anniversary that brings with it an appreciation of the ironies of life, and politics.

His captor, Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld, might also recall long-forgotten memories - or memories best forgotten - of what he was doing exactly 20 years ago.

If so, he will remember that he was in Baghdad, as a special envoy from then-president Ronald Reagan, assuring his host that, to quote the secret National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) that served as his talking points: the US would regard "any major reversal of Iraq's fortunes as a strategic defeat for the West".

So began the effective resumption of close relations between Baghdad and Washington that had been cut off by Iraq during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Within a year, Washington would fully normalize ties with Saddam, and even suggest that the dictator had become a full-fledged "Arab moderate", ready to make peace with Israel.

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A very handy scorecard to keep around

[kentuck]

5. That's why I would be very surprised to see a "trial"...

Most likely scenario, he will be shot in the head by an Iraqi who was tortured or who had a family member was tortured...There will then be an investigation as to how he slipped a gun by the guards...

[Malva Zebrina]

6. I don't think there will be anything revealing in Saddam's trial

Bush will never allow it--I know that as sure as I know my own name. The ability to spin will not be easy or enabled on a world level--he could not manage that or get away with it as he has done so many times here. Saddam will be drugged or he will be getting sick in some way and slowly fade away and die. I believe that is what Bush will do. Unless, of course, a democrat wins the election--then there may be a different story.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

7. He'll be suicided with a previously un-noticed cyanide pill.

[PATRICK]

8. Irrelevant

It won't happen before Selection 2004. Saddam will probably be suckered into yet another deal.

[denverbill]

9. Remember Manuel Noriega's trial?

Yeah, me neither. I'm sure Saddam will get the same kind of trial.

[Matilda]

10. I'm trying to think of all the possible scenarios

to prevent Saddam going to trial.

1. Shot while trying to escape
2. Hangs himself in cell
3. Swallows poison in cell
4. Falls out of window while being interrogated
5. Contracts sudden fatal disease and dies soon after
6. Shot by crazed gunman who gets by guards
7. Knifed by crazy man who gets by guards

I'm sure there must be other ways ... can anyone add to this list?

[Junkdrawer]

11. How about the Francis Farmer solution....

Lobotomy Gets Them Home...

[aeon flux]

12. bushco could live to regret his capture

They could ALL be doing hard time when its over. Good riddance.

[aeon flux]

13. hehe

Every cloud has a silver lining.