Article

2007-03-06 Iraq

Wondered what had happened to him.

BAGHDAD - Iraqi former deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz on Monday praised Saddam Hussein and denied there had been mass killings under the executed dictators rule, earning sharp rebukes from the judge at the so-called Anfal genocide trial. I had the honour to work with the former regime and with the hero Saddam Hussein, Aziz said from the witness stand at the Iraqi High Tribunal, where six leaders of the former regime are accused of genocide against Kurds.

He is the hero behind the unity of Iraq and its sovereignty. This is an honour to me, Aziz added in a statement that belied the reputation he enjoyed in some quarters as a moderate in Saddams camp.

Shut up -- dont speak, said the trials chief judge Mohammed Al Oreibi Al Khalifah, angrily trying to silence the ailing Aziz. Why do you prevent me from speaking? Aziz answered calmly. I will take legal measures against you, the judge warned. Aziz replied: Why? I am already a prisoner. What would you do to me?

Guess.

The judge again ordered him to shut up.

Aziz, 71, surrendered to US troops in Iraq in April 2003. Since then he has been under lock and key at Camp Cropper, a holding centre near Baghdad international airport. His family has repeatedly called for his release on health grounds, saying that he suffers from diabetes and respiratory problems.

Why is that a problem? Didn't the Kurdish civilians have all sorts of medical problems before you gassed them to death?

Aziz is suspected of involvement in the execution of dozens of members of the former Baath regime in 1979 and mass killings of Shias and Kurds in 1991, but his lawyers say he has yet to be charged.

On Monday he was brought to the High Tribunal to give evidence against the six defendants in the Anfal trial of Saddam aides charged with involvement in the killing of up to 182,000 Iraqi Kurds in the late 1980s. But Aziz denied there had been any mass killings under Saddam. I was foreign minister... The government I was part of did not commit genocide against the Kurdish people, he insisted.

His comments again angered the judge. You are here testifying (on behalf of) the regime, not the accused, the judge said. No, I am testifying (on behalf of) the accused, Aziz answered.

Posted by Steve White 2007-03-06 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11129 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Guess

OK. How about something that involves about half a roll of duct tape? One piece across his eyebrows, of course. And if they need to do it a second time, a piece across his moustache.

Posted by gorb 2007-03-06 01:39|| 2007-03-06 01:39|| Front Page Top

#2 Word was that Aziz would be charged in the marshes case. Dunno where that case stands. That photo appears to have been taken at the Martyr's Monument in B'dad - which is actually a very impressive design (don't know what condition it's in these days).

Posted by Verlaine 2007-03-06 02:38|| 2007-03-06 02:38|| Front Page Top

#3 Don't miss him too much, Tareq.
You'll see him soon...

Posted by tu3031 2007-03-06 08:54|| 2007-03-06 08:54|| Front Page Top

#4 Reports say it was destroyed by dynamite, the crossed Sabers are no more.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2007-03-06 10:16|| 2007-03-06 10:16|| Front Page Top

#5 Jim, that was a different place. Martyr's Monument is located outside the IZ. Crossed swords are/were next to the Unknown Soldier monument, which I'm sure wasn't touched.

Posted by Verlaine 2007-03-06 12:25|| 2007-03-06 12:25|| Front Page Top

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