So we got a glimpse of Saddam today. And it was fascinating. He denied some of the charges read against him. Gassing of the Kurds? Only saw that one on T.V. The invasion of Kuwait? "I was protecting the Iraqi people from those mad dogs, who wanted to turn Iraqi women into 10 dinar prostitutes." Told that he would get a court appointed attorney if need be, he said, "Well according to the Americans I have millions of dollars in Geneva. So I should be able to afford one."
OK, enough fun stuff. I'm curious what is going on behind the scenes. Everybody knows that the interim Iraqi government has only "legal custody" of Saddam. But less noted, in fact basically unnoted, has been the U.S.'s role in the tribunal itself, which appears to be substantial. According to one law prof who just returned from training lawyers in Iraq for war crime trials, "the tribunal statute requires that both the judges and the prosecutors receive assistance from U.S. authorities."
Call me naive--I know, I grew up in Brentwood--but my guess is that the U.S. isn't really a puppeteer. But there is some sort of dynamic at play, and it'd sure be interesting to see what it is.
P.S. I've made a call (em, not two) about this. I'll let you know what I find.
