U-S will transfer legal custody, but not physical custody, of Saddam

[54anickel]

Hope this isn't a dupe

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=1959829

Baghdad, Iraq-AP -- The U-S is still going to hold onto Saddam Hussein -- while transfering legal custody of him to the interim Iraqi government.

A U-S official says legal custody of Saddam and some other former figures from his regime will be turned over to the interim government as soon as Iraqi courts issue warrants for their arrest and request the transfer.

The official says Iraqi prosecutors and defense lawyers will have access to them -- but the U-S will retain physical custody.

According to the official, the Iraqis don't yet have the capacity to keep them behind bars.

[Solly Mack]

1. Sorta like having sovereignty on paper but not actual sovereignty

where it matters..


which is a lot like being the president because the SCOTUS said so and not because the people voted you into office...

which is similiar to bringing back honor and integrity to the whitehouse in speeches but not really doing it in actuality...

I think I've finally got it!

[tabasco]

4. Hahahahahahahaha!!

- Could the charade get any more absurd??
- The Iraqis will have "legal" control of their country and Saddam, but no control over the army inside their borders. I don't see how even the hardcore rethugs can stomach this amount of bullshit any longer!

[donsu]

2. shoot, what's a piece of paper to the criminal bushgang?

it's all a deadly joke

[Cheswick2.0]

3. LOL, these criminal bush inc folks don't miss a beat

God help us.

[htuttle]

5. So we're going to hand the Iraqi's a receipt?

Maybe two receipts: One for Saddam, and one for their sovereignty?

[LiberalFighter]

6. So they can legally kill Saddam and blame it on the Iraqi's

[Sabriel]

7. Would they swap Saddam Hussein for * instead?

Wishful thinking, I know....

[DrBB]

8. It's the Distinction Without A Difference administration!

Don't make any sudden movements.
These are dangerous amusements.
When did you become so choosy?
Don't act like you're above me;
just look at your shoes.

But everybody is going through the motions.
Everybody is going through the motions.
Are you really only going through the motions?

Lip service is all you'll ever get from me.
Lip service is all you'll ever get from me.
Lip service is all you'll ever get from me.
But if you change your mind
you can send it in a letter to me

[geek tragedy]

9. Do they have 'legal custody'

of his pistol too?

What a sad, sad joke.

[TrustingDog]

10. The Real Saddam

should give himself up in fanfare to the Iraqi 'government' - complete with DNA tests done by 3 independent countries and fingerprint matches.

[cspiguy]

11. we should shoot him and then leave - forever.

n/t

[Bridget Burke]

12. "we" should shoot him?

Who is this "we" of which you speak?

He needs to go on trial & name names.

[darkstar]

13. Rush, Hannity, et. al

Here's another good one for cause you like these so much

"It all depends on what the meaning of custody is."

[seemslikeadream]

14. The Pentagon is reportedly not happy the photographs got out

From "Apparent Saddam capture photos surface: Unauthorized photos circulating on Internet" by CNN, 15 Jan 2004:
New photographs that appear to be of Saddam Hussein on the day of his capture by U.S. forces are circulating around the Internet one month after the ousted Iraqi leader was found in a narrow hole in the ground.

One photo apparently shows Saddam shortly after he was pulled from the infamous "spider hole" where he had been hiding on December 13.

...

Although CNN has not independently verified the authenticity or source of the photos, they do appear genuine, according to a senior U.S. government official.

Certain key details known about the event match with the photographs.

For instance, Saddam appears to be wearing the same clothes and the same beard as seen in the pictures officially released by the U.S. military.

...

The Pentagon is reportedly not happy the photographs got out.

But it is uncertain anyone will be reprimanded, because almost every soldier carries a pocket camera these days, and that makes it unlikely whoever took the photos will be identified.

[Mandate My Ass]

15. Can't have Saddam talking publicly

They don't dare risk it.