UN says Iraq dictator must face Intl court; China slams US on war

By: Nabil Raza

GENEVA: Chief UN war crimes prosecutor Carla del Ponte said Thursday former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, held by US occupation forces in December, should face an international court.

His trial should not be held in Iraq, as it would be difficult to avoid “political interference,” she said while speaking at a news conference.

She opined that an ad hoc international criminal tribunal would be the best instrument to have a fair trial against the worst Iraqi oppressor who killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people.

The court “could be near Iraq,” as this would make the collection and transfer of evidence easier.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Thursday said the situation in Iraq a year after the United States launched its invasion had proved Washington was wrong to try to use force to solve its disputes.

“Last year, we made very clear China's position on this issue. We stressed that international disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and the UN Security Council,” said Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan.

In the lead-up to the US-led war, Beijing took a firm anti-war stance alongside France, Russia and Germany, arguing that weapons inspectors be given more time to do their job and that the United Nations first approve any attack.

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