Saddam Seeks Postponement of Dijail Verdict

Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein has requested a delay in the announcement of a verdict in his first trial, involving the alleged killing of civilians at Dijail in 1982, so that it does not coincide with the US Congressional elections. In a written request to the head of the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal, Saddam accused US president George Bush of trying to ensure that the verdict came out at election time in order to save the Republicans from defeat. Issuing the verdict on November 5 would allow the US “propaganda machine” to suggest that President Bush had fulfilled “the strategic objectives of the occupation”, the letter said. Meanwhile, the head of Saddam’s defence team, Khalil al-Dulaimi, has asked for the release of his client and all other detainees, arguing this would be a good thing for “the future of Iraq, the region and the world”.