How Saddam lost 5kg in prison
By Sun News
Monday, July 5, 2004

Has Saddam Hussein achieved something in US detention that seemed to elude him when he was the all powerful ruler of Iraq - a successful weight loss programme?
Gen Richard Myers, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the former president has lost about 5kg (12lb) since his capture in December 2003 - working out in jail as part of his regime.
Gen Myers was speaking hours after the former Iraqi president appeared for the first time before an Iraqi judge looking noticeably thinner than his paunchy old self.
"My understanding is he's lost about 12 pounds, on purpose, and he's worked out, I think twice a day," the general told US channel Fox News.

"He's had more time to work out than I have," Gen Myers added drolly.
Until then, questions had been asked as to whether Saddam Hussein was ill or the food in jail was not to his liking.
This was, after all, the man who - according to the US military - was discovered at his Tikrit hidey-hole with the two cooks and copious supplies of Mars bars.

Huge banquets
Gen Myers' remarks made many Saddam-watchers think back to the heady days of the oil-for-food programme, when the president was accused of squandering Iraq's meagre income on luxury items as his people starved.

In 1998 London accused Baghdad of requesting the following through the UN sanctions committee that checked all Iraqi purchases:
* a liposuction machine worth more than $16,000
* a teeth whitening laser worth $126,000
* silicone breast implants
"Saddam Hussein's perverse priorities are to provide luxury goods for his cronies rather than food and medicine for suffering children," said UK Foreign Office minister Tony Lloyd at the time of the revelation.
It was never revealed whether the president himself would have benefited from the items on the list, but all purchases were blocked by the UN.

In his prime, the Iraqi leader clearly enjoyed a lavish lifestyle that included, reputedly, huge banquets cooked every day in all of his many palaces just in case he happened to pop round on any particular night.
But he was also very conscious about weight issues.
Last year as the storm was gathering that would sweep him from power, he decreed that overweight army officers and officials would forfeit half their salaries if they failed an annual fitness test.

Cosmetic surgery
By coincidence, another story has been doing the rounds of Arabic gossip columns concerning Saddam Hussein's daughter Raghad.
It is reported that she has been using her time in exile in Jordan to work on her own appearance.
This has apparently included a tummy tuck last August - shortly after her brothers Uday and Qusay were killed in a gun battle with US forces - and breast implants.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to verify the rumours that since 1990 Saddam has been an aficionado of the diet of Dr Robert Atkins - who died just before the war that unseated him.
However, it looks as though the former political strongman - who faces a possible death penalty if found guilty of his alleged crimes - will have plenty of time to devote to his fitness programmes during the lengthy legal process.

Iraqis should try Saddam
In the aftermath of the court appearance in Baghdad last Thursday of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, contributors to BBC News online gave their views on the trial. Below are some of their comments.

Turan Tekgunduz, Istanbul, Turkey
Saddam should be tried by his countrymen. So far so good. But Saddam must be granted access to any witnesses he demands and, must be allowed to clarify at length all claims related to weapons of mass destruction, even if such claims will make the US unhappy.

Bryan Short, Bemidji, MN, USA
It is absolutely ridiculous for people to suggest he be sent up to The Hague. Saddam committed countless horrible crimes against Iraqis, thus he should be tried by Iraqis. The last thing we need is a bunch of stuffy Europeans stalling any progress and dragging out the trial for years on a man who beyond the shadow of a doubt is one of the most evil men in human history.

Alexander, Kemi, Finland
I think Saddam is the scapegoat for what the Americans and the UK did in the past in Iraq. I don't believe that what happened in the past Saddam was alone in it. All the weapons he used against others the US provided for him and supported him all the way until they no longer needed him.

Samuel Mugo, Kenya
I agree with Saddam when he terms all this proceedings as just a theatre. I fail to understand the legitimacy of invasion, the so called interim government is illegitimate as well. Now under which constitution is Saddam being tried? It's all a confused theatrical performance. I think a combination of international tribunal and an Iraq one would be in a better position to do the job. Anyway, Saddam remain innocent until proven guilty in a fair trial, but it's certain that it won't be fair

Robert, USA
There is no such thing as a perfect fair trial - my principle disagreement with the death penalty. There is no dispute; however about what kind of a brutal monster this man is. The real concern is what will help the Iraqi people step closer to self-determination and a stable society. If trying Saddam in Iraqi courts helps progress the nation to self-determination even just as a token gesture, then its valuable.

Raj, India
This hearing has nothing to do with future of Iraq, it has to do with next elections.
Linda, London, England (US Citizen)
I could never defend Saddam's actions, but I don't think he can nor ever will get a fair trial. The handover to the Iraqi government is merely a show. The US headlines will make it appear that Mr. Bush is taking action and taking the "evil dictator" to justice. It is an attempt to give some validity to the war. The proceedings will not help the Iraqis, it will only help the take eyes off the crimes of the Bush Administration.

Ali Shamsie, Tehran, Iran
Well, there are only eight charges against Saddam to thrill Americans and naturally the 1990 invasion of Kuwait is one of them but what about offensive against Iran. The war between Iran and Iraq was one of the great human tragedies of recent history. Perhaps as many as a million people died, many more were wounded, and millions were made refugees. The U.S. policy in the Persian Gulf supported Saddam in order to keep the Iranian revaluation from coming to power, no matter what the human cost.
Maybe he was to some extent correct to say that this is a theatre. I hope he talks about his relation with the West (in particular British and Americans) while he was the ruler of Iraq and tell the world how they provide him with technology and materials to kill Kurds, Shias and Iranians.

Ron, the Hague
The only unfair trial for Saddam is the one where he is found not guilty. As a boy Saddam Hussein would heat an iron poker until it was white-hot, then use it to impale cats and dogs. As a youth he was the leader of a political assassination gang who terrorised anyone who opposed the Ba'ath party. As ruler of Iraq he is responsible for more than a million deaths, the gassing of civilians and the impoverishment of a rich country. No punishment is too harsh or cruel for this man.

Michael Harris, Cork, Ireland
We look at it with western eyes. The vast populations of the world will look at it differently. Illegal, Illegal, Illegal, to borrow Margaret Thatcher's style if not content.

Ethan, Australia
Let the Iraqi's have their justice. I can see the problems with the ICC taking so long to make a judgement. I nearly feel sorry for him, but more so interested in what made this man tick. Lock him jail, throw away the key, give him a typewriter and make him write a book. I can't see death as an answer, but if that is what the Iraqi's want then who are we to tell them what to do. I think we have stuck our nose in for long enough.