The grave of Ali Hassan al-Majeed in Awja village near Tikrit, north of Baghdad. Mr Ali Hassan al-Majeed, known as "Chemical Ali" for his supposed use of poison gas against minority Kurds, was buried late on Tuesday near his cousin, former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. For my part may he rest in peace finally as certainly it was his wish to die. His execution remains to me unlawful and a disgrace as to how it was carried out.
IRAQ: US UNIVERSITY IN BAGHDAD
27 January 2010:
Some kind of normality has to prevail and even in Iraq despite a terrible situation students graduate and here Chris Hill the US Ambassador with student from the American University in Baghdad. Some small normality.
IRAQ: SNOW SNOW SNOW
27 January 2010:
Its not so often but now and again its snows...just 200 km north of Baghdad it is snowing and children as in all other countries play in the snow....makes a nice change.
IRAQ: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS(7)
26 January 2010:
IRAQ: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS(6)
26 January 2010:
IRAQ: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS(5)
26 January 2010:
IRAQ: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS(4)
26 January 2010:
IRAQ: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS(3)
26 January 2010:
IRAQ: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS(2)
26 January 2010:
IRAQ: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS(1)
26 January 2010:
IRAQ: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
26 January 2010:
It was expected and here it is....bombs bombs bombs....
US SUPREME COURT CLEARS WAY FOR NORIEGA EXTRADITION TO FRANCE
25 January 2010:
US SUPLEARS WAY FOR NORIEGA EXTRADITION TO FRANCE
25 January 2010:
The US Supreme Court has in effect refused to hear the appeal of General Noriega effectively clearing the way for his return via extradition to France.
Late last year President Sarkozy confirmed to me in writing (CLICK ON FILE BELOW) that he would only consider General Noriega pardon when his conviction became definitive. Whilst I do not consider the President has properly applied the Constitution it nevertheless acts in the favour of General Noriega.
France cannot really afford a trial and the US Supreme Court has washed its hands of the matter leaving Noriega in the hands of the French.
He will thus be returned now to France where he is to be granted prisoner of war status, a place in a proper prison fit for a prisoner of war, and invariable released on bond with the two years plus that he has spent in US Custody counting towards any sentence if of course the French can obtain a conviction.
I have some wonderful correspondence from the General all in Spanish. For my part Sarkozy is best advised to grant a pardon as soon as General Noriega is on French soil. The old adage of course (as in Polanski) that an accused must be in the jurisdiction to avail himself to any benefits is correctly apoplied.
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