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Millions
were watching this trail turning to farce. They all saw
the judge , the embodiment of hatred, looking more like
a representative of the Nazi or Stalinist eras. His
harsh voice, his poisonous words, his spite filled eyes
all suggested that his mind was made up and the case
pre-judged and the defendant headed for eventual
execution.
I am
not here to defend Saddam Hussain and his cronies, but
rather to draw attention to the fact that the purpose of
the trial is really to judge a whole era of Arab
Nationalism and Iraqi history – although admittedly
Saddam Hussain is perhaps one of its most terrifying
evocations.
Does anyone, anywhere, with any insight seriously think
that Saddam Hussain is so important to the future that
he must be judged in such a humiliating manner? Or are
they using this trial as a way to discredit Iraq and
belittle its identity hide its important position in the
history of Mankind?
I believe that this trial has been staged as an example,
‘pour encourager les autres’, which is to serve as a
harsh lesson to World Leaders who might even consider
opposing the American Alliance’s plans. It is intended
to send a powerful message about the fate of any nation
– big or small – that might even contemplate standing
against American interests even for a moment.
Why is Iraq so important to the West that they want to
redraw the map of the area yet again and under total
American control?
Simple:
1.
Iraq is crucial to the world’s oil supply
2.
Iraq possesses huge human and economic potential.
3.
Iraq was on the verge of becoming a nuclear power
which might lead to a form of strategic balance with
Israel.
4.
Iraq came to the defense of Palestine and the
Palestinians – a key issue in the Arab world.
5.
Iraq is a powerful member of the Arab Nationalism
movement and will not be moved from its central
position.
6.
Iraq and its army emerged as a power to be
reckoned with, after its 8 year war with Iran.
So
this trial of Saddam and his cronies really stands for a
trial of Iraq both as punishment for its past and to
prevent it taking any useful future role.
I repeat, I am not defending Saddam. I am defending
Iraq. I am not disputing the need for justice. I am,
rather, condemning the tyrannical behaviour of the judge
and his unprecedented behaviour in managing it.
Everything we have heard about America and its belief in
democracy is completely negated contradicted even, by
the biased acts of the judge – a man who patently knows
nothing of democracy.
This trial turned to farce is but one example of what is
in store for that sad country. It is a strong indicator
of the ultimate goal which is to overturn the history
and culture of the country, perhaps even redraw its
borders, culminating in the total dismemberment of Iraq.
What we are seeing now is an artificial re-writing of
history. Free people cannot be ruled by outsiders nor
can they be subject to the law of an external power.
Arabs should not turn a blind eye to what is happening
because once it succeeds in Iraq it will expand into
other countries in the region.
This is one of the gravest issues facing us in the Arab
world and if we do not face up to it and deal with it
immediately in Iraq.
Arab
Nationalism is based on the warm acceptance of everyone,
of all minorities or social groups. Any change in this
approach would cause a rift that would simply be too
hard to heal in the future and would be especially hit
the Eastern Arab Countries and the Arabian Peninsula.
Iraq deserves our help and support in facing this
difficult situation. The Arab Nation must stand firm to
prevent the dissolution of Iraq’s culture and history.
If not then we all face the same possibility; those
countries with diverse national groups or many religions
more so than others.
To prevent the trial of Saddam from becoming a
battleground for Iraq’s history, we must take these
steps:
·
Stop the current trial immediately. The Arab League must
take the initiative and form a court with Arab judges to
look into the practices of the previous Iraqi regime.
·
Set
that court in an Arab capital. That court should be
empowered to look into the crimes of all who have done
wrong to the Iraqi people before and after the American
occupation.
·
All
those convicted must receive a fair sentence; and no
country, Arab or non-Arab, should give them asylum. They
must be treated as merely criminals.
·
Anyone who is acquitted must be allowed to return to his
normal life and helped to resume his proper place in
Iraqi society.
·
That Court must have to power to prosecute any Iraqi
party or organization that is loyal, in any form, to any
entity outside Iraq.
·
The
Gulf countries must take the initiative to rescue Iraq’s
history and culture not just for Iraq but for the sake
of all of us in the GCC.
Let’s deal with this now; before it is too late. | 
