US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4324

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004324 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KJUS, KCRM, IZ, Media, Saddam Hussein 
SUBJECT: POLITICAL REACTIONS TO THE SADDAM TRIAL 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford for 
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary. For many Iraqis, the Saddam trial 
provides a sense of relief, revenge, justice and 
healing.  However, some Sunni Arabs claimed that it is 
a political tool to divert attention away from 
referendum anomalies and the upcoming elections. 
Press editorials warn that Saddam's grandstanding may 
provoke violence in the streets. End Summary. 
 
Press Reports 
------------- 
 
2.  (U) The day before the start of the trial, the 
press reported on demonstrations in Saddam's hometown 
of Tikrit.  The demonstrators insisted that the Saddam 
trial was a revenge gift from President Bush to his 
father. On the day of the trial, the press reported on 
demonstrators in Tikrit calling for Saddam's 
execution.  There were other reports of Sunni Arabs 
protesting that the start date of the trial was 
purposely set to focus Sunni claims of referendum 
tampering and the upcoming elections. 
 
Sunni Point of View 
------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Mirroring press reports, Head of the General 
Conference of Iraqi People, Adnan al-Duleimi, told 
PolFSN on October 19 that it would be better not draw 
attention to the proceedings so people would continue 
to focus on the elections.  National Dialog Council 
member Saleh Mutlak told PolFSN on October 19 that 
Saddam still can provoke street violence during the 
run up to the elections and warned that political 
parties will exploit this trial.  Vice President 
Shaikh Ghazi al-Yawr told PolCouns on October 19 that 
the timing of Saddam's trial was unfortunate.  The 
nation needs to focus on establishing political 
coalitions before the IECI coalition registration 
deadline of October 21, not the last regime's crimes, 
he claimed.  Yawr added that Saddam Hussein is a very 
smart man and will use this trial to grandstand. 
Knowing that he will probably be executed, Saddam will 
say anything to provoke the hearts of Iraqis. 
 
VIP Gallery 
----------- 
 
4.  (C) The VIPs arrived at the Convention Center 
three hours prior to the start of the trial, were 
obediently stripped of cell phones and watches, 
wanded, loaded onto buses and transported to the trial 
site - the former International Baathist Headquarters. 
With only 17 available viewing seats, Iraq Special 
Tribunal (IST) Judge Ra'ed Juhi told PolOff on October 
17 that it was very difficult informing many 
government officials that they could not attend. 
 
5.  (C) As a courtesy, the IST invited GOI's top tier, 
but both President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister 
Ibrahim Jaafari were out of town.  The most senior 
person representing the PM's office, Adnan Ali, told 
PolOff on October 19 that the Shia still have 
extremely strong emotions about Saddam.  There is a 
sense of relief this day has finally come and also 
sense of sadness to have to relive the pain of the 
past, he commented.  PM Spokesperson Laith Kubba told 
PolOff that this was a very historic day for Iraq and 
all Iraqis, giving them a sense of closure and a new 
beginning.  General Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. 
Khudair Abbas told PolOff that he had lobbied to be 
first on the access list.  He said he wanted to 
witness the first step in the healing process. Both 
First Deputy to the National Assembly Hussain al- 
Shahristani and National Security Advisor Muwaffiq al- 
Rubaei briefly told Emboffs that this is a "very 
special day."  IST Judge Ra'ad told PolOff that he was 
proud to help fulfill a sense of duty to the Iraqi 
people in helping to bring Saddam to justice.  He 
added that the IST team is confidant Saddam will 
receive due process and a fair trial. 
 
Satterfield