 Lawyers for Iraq's former deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz, have asked Italy and Croatia to consider granting him asylum if he is released from U.S. detention, officials in both countries said Wednesday. The Italian and Croatian foreign ministries both confirmed receiving letters from Aziz's Italy-based lawyers asking if either government would be willing to grant him asylum. Aziz's family and lawyers have said he is in very poor health, and have petitioned several countries to accept Aziz for medical treatment if he is released. The Italian ministry said officials were evaluating the letter. In Croatia, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said his nation "will in no way" grant Aziz, 69, asylum, the state-run news agency HINA reported. |