Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein will get a 'fair trial', United States President George W Bush has said, claiming that Baghdad is a safe place for the proceedings, despite the recent killing of a defence lawyer and the tough security situation there.
"There will be a fair trial, which is something he (Saddam) did not give many of the thousand people he killed," Bush told the Arabic television channel Al Arabiya on Monday. "The people of Iraq would like to see Saddam Hussein tried for the crimes he committed."
Asked if Baghdad was safe enough for Saddam to be tried there, Bush said "I think it is. It is safe enough to have an election nationwide, where these killers were saying, we'll kill you if you vote, and a lot of people went and voted. In other words, it is possible to provide security, but I think the trial needs to go forward."
When he was told that the security situation in Iraq was dismal, Bush said, "Well it is tough." Asked about the killing of a defence lawyer this week, he simply said, "Oh, I know. It's just terrible."
But, he said the security situation was improving - "They just had an election. We can't stop random acts of violence, but the Iraqi security forces are better prepared to defend themselves."
Bush said he would not support an international trial because it is important for Iraqis to conduct the trial and demonstrate that they can have a fair judicial system. He declined to evaluate Saddam's performance during the trial, saying it was hard to tell whether the former ruler appears weakened or was still defiant.
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