Iraqis Want Saddam's Old U.S. Friends on Trial

[Flagg]

Iraqis Want Saddam's Old U.S. Friends on Trial



By Michael Georgy

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - If Iraqis ever see Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) on trial, they want his former American allies shackled beside him.


"Saddam should not be the only one who is put on trial. The Americans backed him when he was killing Iraqis so they should be prosecuted," said Ali Mahdi, a builder.


"If the Americans escape justice they will face God's justice. They must be stoned in hell."


The United States continued to feel the backlash of its move to give Saddam prisoner of war status Tuesday as thousands of Iraqi protesters called for his execution.


Washington's move has thrown some doubt over his fate after Iraq (news - web sites)'s U.S.-backed Governing Council had said Saddam would be tried in a special tribunal by Iraqi judges.


His POW status means the former dictator, accused of sending thousands of Iraqis to mass graves, could have more rights than a war criminal.


In street interviews, Iraqis said Saddam must be tried by an Iraqi court prepared to hand down the death penalty and examine his ties to past U.S. governments.


The United States backed Saddam in his war with Iran in the 1980s. During that time, he also gassed an estimated 5,000 Kurds to death in the village of Halabja.

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