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First Witness Testifies at Saddam Trial 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=100C04D:3919ACA Ahmed Mohammed
Hassem gives graphic testimony about 1982 killing of more than 140
people in mainly Shi'ite town of  Dujail





Ahmed Mohammed Hassem testifies as former Iraqi president Saddam
Hussein watches from his seatThe first witness to appear in person at
the trial of Saddam Hussein has given graphic testimony about the 1982
killing of more than 140 people in a mainly Shi'ite town.

Ahmed Mohammed Hassem said he knew several people killed in Dujail
after an assassination attempt on Saddam there. His testimony was
interrupted by exchanges with one of Saddam's seven co-defendants -
his half-brother Barzan Ibrahim.

Before the judge adjourned proceedings until Wednesday, Saddam told
the court he is not afraid of execution. He earlier yelled out "long
live Iraq, long live the Arab state."

Also Monday, one of Saddam's lawyers, former U.S. Attorney General
Ramsey Clark, demanded better security for defense lawyers, two of
whom have been killed.

On Sunday, Iraqi authorities said they had foiled an insurgent plot to
bomb the trial during Monday's proceedings.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.


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