UPCOMING TRIAL Why should the average one of us care when and where the trial of Saddam is to be held?
We had sudden flurries and news speculations recently about that potential story which seemingly caused a rather weak statement to the effect that Iran hopes to do just that “next year.”If, and this is critical, they feel they are mature enough to do so.
This is no small task to be taken lightly nor is it something we might be tempted to undertake before we are prepared in a get-even mood. The idea is to do justice, not to get even with the despicable individual on the stand, however vile. It is a gigantic undertaking of any nation to hold such a trial for a former Head of State and it is only right that Iraq takes time tori decide what they wish to do. It also seems proper that it remains an Iranian affair and not that of world-wide nations. The people of Iran who have suffered under his mis-rule should decide his fate.The theory,at the present, is the trial is to be Iraq's “show”. E , as a nation, have already been cast in a dubious light since an American lawyer – Ramsey Clarke -is one of Saddam Dissension's lawyers. In all honesty it will be doubtful if it will a remain as Iraqui as it is hoped it might have been.
Just this afternoon I sat among others at a nearby Veteran's Hospital who were in Europe during Adolph Hitler's Time. I remember how, as a fun-thing,really, we as G.I.'s used to conjour up all manner of unseemly, punishments for Adolph and his cohorts if we ever caught them. He, of course, cheated us out of such revenge. There is no possible way in which Saddam H. can be made to "pay” for his crimes against his own and other people. His debts are not so easily paid.
We hope it will all come about in time but we have the memory of Kaiser Bill chopping wood in his post war home in the low countries; kings and queens, emperors, dictators, chairmen, - ex-leaders of various types ...many living it up in exile.
Let's try to keep this an Iraqi thing all the way. His own people might see to it that he gets his just due far more accurately than other people would.
A.L M. June 6, 2005 [c576wds]
