Iraq - Saddam faces trial

As the count continues for Iraq’s vote in the new constitution the country prepares for a new phase in its history. Saddam Hussein, the former ruler, is today, Wednesday 19th October 2005, to face charges of crimes against inhumanity [BBC]. The main charge against him centres around the death of 143 men in the village of Dujail, following a failed assassination attempt. He also faces charges of violating international law with regards the invasion of Kuwait, of political suppression of the Kurds and Shi’ites, and of genocide. Particularly the gas attack on Hallabja, which is seen as both a pivotal point in the war against Iraq’s regime and one of the first significantly covered events of a chemical attack on civilians. Some might argue however that the attack was against ‘insurgents and rebels’ and that civilians were merely caught in the bombardment. Collateral damage during a civil war!
Of course chemical weapons have been used against people in the past both during and outside of peace. The Aum Shimrikyo cult gassed many civilians in an attack on the Tokyo subway in Japan in 1995. Twelve were killed and hundreds more were injured. Agent Orange, described as a defoliant by the US, was used in Vietnam. It killed, disfigured and poisoned many civilians as well as combatants in America’s campaign in Vietnam. World War I also saw the use of chemical weapons. Many suffered the effects of mustard gas and other agents. And in World War II the Nazis used Zyklon B, a nerve gas, on thousands of civilians including, Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, subversives, communists and criminals.
Iraq meanwhile has seen a worsening situation on the ground with almost daily attacks on civilians, US and allied troops and on the oil infrastructure. And as moral falls to an all time low amongst British troops station in Iraq, a British Captain is found dead. The British military investigator was found dead Monday at his quarters in Basra. No suspicious circumstances were reported. Captain Ken Masters had conducted investigations into Iraqi prisoner abuse by British troops. He is the 96th serviceman to die in Iraq since March 2003 [BBC].
Baghdad was meanwhile enveloped in a dust storm as US continued its operations against insurgents near Ramadi. Disputes continue over an air bombardment which killed 70 insurgents, according to the Americans, or 20 plus civilians according to reports from tribal leaders and a doctor who attended the scene [Reuters].
[02:09 GMT 19/10/2005]