studiolegaleinternazionale

Diary

IRAQ:PICTURES(2): 7 February 2010:; Dogs are an important part of everyday life in Iraq and are used more and more for law and order. Here they are training.
IRAQ:PICTURES(1): 7 February 2010:
IRAQ:PICTURES: 7 February 2010:
Christos Christodoulides:- Success!!!: 5 February 2010:; “ The withdrawal of the European Extradition Warrant against my client Dr Christos Christodoulides is the most sensible act and decision undertaken by the British Prosecuting Authorities since this whole saga came to light. It however, leaves more questions unanswered than requested and the withdrawal of the warrant now leaves the only arena left to air our grievances against what was a politically motivated ‘persecution’ and not prosecution namely the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division. My client pleaded guilty in the United Kingdom under considerable pressure and invariable by doing so spared the British Government considerable embarrassment. He was and remains innocent of the allegations against him notwithstanding that he has in fact served his entire prison sentence imposed upon him making his quest for justice one more of principle than practice. It would be equally wrong for me or my colleagues to say much more save that this whole process has been of some strain to my client and his family who have supported him throughout. The quest for what is right continues in another jurisdiction and my client is determined now to see that justice is not only done but seen to be done. In this matter a number of people require my personal thanks: Pavlos Christodoulides the young and brilliant lawyer who has carried out his job not only as a lawyer but an advocate with skill and determination; Dr David Thomas QC whose opinion was essential to clarify the law in the UK; Mr Michael Wolkind QC the trial counsel who will continue the fight for what is right in the UK; and I must not exclude our adversaries at the Crown Prosecution Service who have abided by the code of conduct as prosecutors and taken the right decision under the circumstances; and of course to the whole family of my client that have maintained the tradition set by Archbishop Makarios the founding father of Cyprus namely to support one another. This case involves not only matters of essential public importance in the administration and practice of law but matters of considerable public scandal a scandal that was hidden by the persecution of my client and but for fate would have remained buried. The time however, is close to revealing the full story that will without doubt ensure that there be a reversal of judgment in this case."; GIOVANNI DI STEFANO; ------------------------------------------; GIOVANNI DI STEFANO: " This was a case that was frankly absurd and am so glad that we were able to have the warrant withdrawn as it may have been a hard fight for the Prosecution in the Cyprus Supreme Court. This case is one of what I would call 'hot potato' politically because the whole matter rests upon who knew what between 2001 and 2004 in the issue of visas to Romanian citizens. Beverly Hughes resigned over this but many political figures knew what was going on despite being warned by the British Embassy in Bucharest. Mr Christodoulides did nothing wrong and yet spent 3 years 9 months in jail before the Governor of the prison in England handed him his passport to keep in possession and a day's parole. With 11 days to serve my client decided not to complete the 11 days and went home to Cyprus. By doing so he saved the reputation of OTHER far higher political figures than Minister Beverly Hughes who too was a sacraficial lamb. The documents of course as to who knew what are of course with us and we await now an appeal to the court of appeal in England to see whether my client was coerced into pleading guilty or not. What is strange however, is that Romanian visa 'scam' shall we call it was wholly with the cooperation of the Home Office and noone else was prosecuted but my client who at last however, justice has been done. The CPS in this matter have behaved wholly correct and adhered to the code of conduct expected. If there is no chance of success DON'T! Its a good lesson to other prosecutors. Finally, despite the abysmal manner my client has been treated he is not bitter. It is what distinguishes a man from a fool. My congratulations to my client who although we still have a good fight on in England can now lead a normal life and get back to his profession as a lawyer."; File: click to download
INTERVIEW WITH Correio Braziliense: 1 February 2010:; 1-- First of all, why did you decide to ask an inquiry opening against Tony Blair? In what ways do you believe he is guilty for carrying the Iraq invasion? REPLY: It was important that an enquiry of some sort had to be held and since 2007 I have pressed the government but more so since an affidavit from Taha Yassin Ramadan came to light proving that all the ex Iraqi regime were interrogated in an unlawful manner and some tortured. That is what started things off then of course I took the decision to indict Tony Blair for ofences contrary to the Geneva Convention Act and I will ask for his arrest shortly. The Attorney General is reviewing my filed criminal charges. I attach a copy of the indictment and case summary.; 2-- Tony Blair defended the decision of going to war, According to him, he and Bush new Saddam was a risk and that the calculus of risk changed after September 11. How do you see the fact Blair justified the invasion citing September 11 attacks? REPLY: Blair is a good actor and good at mendacity. There is and can be NO justification for attacking Iraq. 27 lawyers at the Foreign Office said attacking Iraq was illegal. Lord Goldsmith said it was illegal then changed his mind. I have had his advice for a long time and I never released it in the hope he would be truthful, he has chosen not do as Blair has chosen to adopt mendacity as the norm.; 3-- According to him, there was no way of leading with Saddam by diplomatically ways. At the same time, told he would not have acted against Iraq if he thought Saddam's government had not weapons of mass destruction. Blair told the fear of repressive states linking up with terrorist groups justifies action against Iraq. What is your opinion about that? REPLY: I was in Iraq in 1998 and knew Saddam Hussein personally before the illegal attack. I never even saw a gameboy Nintendo in Iraq never mind weapons of mass destruction. They had none. Richard Butler knew, I talked with him in 1998 as did Hans Blix. But Blair wanted regime change for oil not for protecting the Iraqi people. More people have died as a result of post occupation activities than before. There is limited running water, sewer system destroyed, no electricity, no gas, and worse still LIMITED petrol for cars….and every day bombings…Blair is responsible with Bush and he will face justice.; 4-- From all the hearing of Blair, what kind of his speeches (words) most surprised you and why? REPLY: His speech in 2003 that if Saddam and his sons left the country the UK / US would give them safe passage and not attack Iraq. He would have killed them, as were murdered the sons of Saddam and that was when he confirmed that it was about regime change.; 5-- While Saddam Hussein was in the jail, did he talk to you about Blair decision to go to the war? Did he mention Blair's name? If yes, what did he tell you? Also, do you believe Saddam's execution was a killing perpetrated also by Blair? REPLY: No the name Blair/Bush only came up in by the way. He regarded them as ‘boys’ not men. Remember Saddam is the longest ruler ever in Iraq whilst Blair/Bush only lasted eight years…the execution/murder of Saddam we all knew, he knew he had to die. Who is responsible? We are all responsible because we all, including me, could have done more from long before but chose to believe that our political leaders would never do anything as what happened in Iraq.; 6-- In your point of view, what would be the results of this inquiry? Does exist some chance of Blair suffer some kind of punishment? What punishment, in your point of view? REPLY: Blair has no conscience. His punishment is obscurity. Jail or execution is too good for him.; 7-- Analizing Iraq's invasion, what were the counsequences of the war, in your opinion? REPLY: The consequences of occupying Iraq have caused and continue to cause a flow of blood in the Euphrates and Tigris river and it has been the principle cause of the financial meltdown of banks worldwide. The US have spent 3 Trillion dollars on Iraq. Do you know how much that is? If I gave you $100 MILLION dollars a day it would take 86 years for you to spend 3 trillion. The banks liquidity and financial meltdown are the consequences, collateral damage to all in the world via the banking system.; File: click to download
I MOURN THE DEATH OF JEROME DAVID SALINGER: 29 January 2010:; Well I guess it was inevitable because at some stage we all have to die. J D Salinger though I thought would never die. In 1974 I had the pleasure of meeting him in New York. I was as snotty nosed kid and he a famous author that had written 'The catcher in the Rye.'I actually had the audacity to ask him for the film rights to the book! Yes, to ask J D Salinger for the film rights to his book! I had the nerve. Well, the answer was as expected and the film has never been made because he guarded such like Fort Knox. I kept up a short correspondence with him until I think 1980 or something when it was obvious that Mr Salinger was never going to give the film rights. Now the better question in anyone's mind is this: assuming Mr Salinger had said YES, what would a snotty nosed kid of (then) 19 would have done with the rights? I knew it would be asked. Well, that year I had been to Universal Pictures in Los Angeles and asked (I can't remember his name but I know he had blonde hair and was polite)a producer if they would make the film if I obtained the rights and would they let me (a snotty nosed kid of nineteen) write the script? The answer was amazingly YES and it is what led me to asking Mr Salinger. Oh well, nice memories. HOWEVER, now Mr Salinger is dead the rights to the book will be part of the estate owned by his two children. I wonder if I dare repeat history????? Maybe I will ask Margeret Salinger his daughter? It would be a blockbuster of a film....; ps. the complete story is in my autobiography which I hope will be out this year...
IRAQ: THE GRAVE OF MR AL MAJID (CHEMICAL ALI): 28 January 2010:; 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: