IRAQ is bracing itself for another surge of violence tomorrow, when Saddam Hussein is expected to be sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Iraq’s national security adviser, Mowaffak al-Rubaie, told The Times that the central provinces of Baghdad, Diyala and Salahaddin would be placed under curfew. “There are more security measures under consideration,” he added. Saddam, his half-brother Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, Taha Yassin Ramadan, his Vice President, and Awad al-Bandhar, a judge, face possible death sentences for the execution of 148 Shia villagers from the town of Dujail after a failed 1982 assassination attempt on the then Iraqi leader. Four others face lighter sentences. Saddam is likely to win the right to appeal against any death sentence.
The trial, which started a year ago, aimed to heal IraqÂ’s wounds after Saddam and his Baath partyÂ’s 35-year regime. Instead, it has become a symbol of IraqÂ’s divisions, between the long-oppressed Shia majority, who now rule the country, and SaddamÂ’s Sunnis. Clashes between them tomorrow could push Iraq over the edge.
| Further over the edge, they mean... |
Mr al-Maliki is to meet Iraqi and US officials today to make a final decision on tomorrowÂ’s security measures. IraqÂ’s Defence Minister yesterday cancelled all leave for soldiers. Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi was heard issuing the order in videotaped footage of a meeting between Mr al- Maliki and military and security officials, in which the Prime Minister upbraided them for failing to stop the capitalÂ’s unbridled violence.
