(Sen) Specter, in Iraq, says he's 'disappointed' in Saddam court

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05361/628588.stm

The chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee met with the chief judge overseeing the Saddam Hussein trial on today, saying he's disappointed the court has allowed the former leader "to dominate" the trial.

Sen. Arlen Specter also said a U.S. general told him that recently announced U.S. troop reductions had been in the works since April and that more are on the way.

<snip>

Specter said he met with Maj. Gen. Timothy E. Donovan, chief of staff for the U.S.-led international coalition, and was encouraged by his report, saying the picture in Iraq was better than what is conveyed in U.S. media.

Specter said Donovan told him the recent announcement by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld that two battalions scheduled to go to Iraq would not be going had been in the works since the spring.

<snip>

The senator said that some in the United States had suggested the reduction was in response to political pressure, but said: "This is not so, if as Gen. Donovan says, that is a plan that's been in the pipeline since last April."

[Thorandmjolnir]

1. Am I the only one

who is disturbed by the fact, that the Judge in a trial of a former leader, is meeting with a leading member of Congress from the occupying force?

[mom cat]

8. No, you are not the only one.

But since we bought, paid for and trained the court and wrote its rules, what is one more silly visit.

[PATRICK]

2. To put it mildly

This is embarrassingly improper and stupid if one does NOT want to have the Muslim world believe what they already do about this being a puppet court show trial. Trying to think of a precedent where any pol
met with a judge to discuss and criticize(publicly) the way it was being handled in order to get at the one being prosecuted. One might cut some slack if it was on behalf of the defense, although that too would show the same thing.

Arrogance that does not even know it looks like arrogance. The ugly American to a T.

But then again, how would one characterize the fact Specter also undercut Rumsfeld's show in order to defend him? These guys are spinning like tops. The timing of the "troop reduction" has always been in the works to be presented in just this deceptive, something the press did not really want to notice.

[PDJane]

3. Law and Ethics......

are not respected in this administration. I have no idea why these folks are still in power; they should be in front of the Hague.

[Javaman]

4. Kangaroo kourt...n/t

[joanski0]

5. What the heck is Specter doing with his nose in

there anyway? He should be over here preparing for the Alito hearings and the bush* spying hearings. What a farce this is!

[saigon68]

13. He has a big ugly HOOK NOSE and a Limpman whine

Isn't he the guy who defended Clarence Thomas and his "LONG DONG SILVER RIDES AGAIN" proposition to Anita ???

[truth2power]

6. Sen. Specter is a fool and an embarrassment....

About a week or two ago I heard someone on NPR explaining, at some length, that what looks to us like barely organized chaos at the Sadaam trial, is actually the norm under that system. The woman (don't remember who it was) was saying that people speaking out of turn and insulting one another seems strange to us because we're used to the highly structured English law system.

I think Specter's comments are just one more example of American arrogance - thinking if it isn't done our way then it's wrong.

Maybe one of the lawyers here could comment on this in more detail.

[mediaman007]

7. One of the judicial advisors was interviewed on NPR.

He indicated that the judicial system in Iraq has always been confrontational. The defendant always has a moment or two to challenge the prosecution witnesses. He also said that Saddam has a microphone that is only turned on during the time that he has the opportunity to challenge.

The advisor was encouraged by the actions of this court. He complimented the judge on his control of a difficult situation.

[zbdent]

9. C'mon, Specter - let Saddam use his good ole charm . . .

You know, the same charm he used on you in 1991 . . .

[The_Casual_Observer]

10. The OJ and Jackson one were so much more dignified.

[Thom Little]

11. Sen. Specter says Saddam trial a mess

A U.S. Republican senator visiting Baghdad says judges at the trial of deposed leader Saddam Hussein need to regain control of the proceedings.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee told reporters Saddam`s frequent outbursts, including one where he told the five judges to 'Go to hell' needed to be addressed.

'I have been disappointed the way the court has permitted Saddam to dominate the proceedings, and I respect Iraqi sovereignty and I respect judicial independence, but it`s also a fair comment to evaluate what is going on,' Specter said.



http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1071937.php/U.S._senator_says_Saddam_trial_a_mess

[yardwork]

12. What did he expect?

And is he aware of the frequent outbursts in U.S. trials?