World

Saddam's Trial Resumes

November 28, 2005 / 6:34 AM EST / CBS/AP

As Saddam Hussein's crimes against humanity trial resumed today in Baghdad, mortar fire was heard elsewhere in the Iraqi capital and the U.S. Embassy confirmed that an American civilian is missing in Iraq, along with three colleagues.

The former Iraqi president's trial resumed just two days after the arrest in Kirkuk of eight Sunni Arabs accused of plotting to kill the judge who prepared the indictment against Saddam on charges of crimes against humanity.

This is not the first shadow of violence over the trial, which previously lost two defense lawyers to murder.

Minutes after the trial resumed Monday, the U.S. Embassy confirmed a report that an American - possibly a peace activist - is missing in Iraq. The name of the civilian, who has not been seen since Saturday along with three colleagues from England and Canada, has not been released.

In this phase of the trial, Saddam will hear from his accusers as the first of as many as 35 witnesses take the stand. Most will be hidden behind a screen, with their names withheld from the court proceedings, because of the fear of reprisals.

CBS News correspondent Lara Logan reports Saddam's lawyer says the former president will remain defiant as the trial resumes under

special security arrangements (video)

The lawyer, Khamis Al-Obeidi, says Saddam Hussein is "performing not just for the people of Iraq, but for the eyes of the world that he knows are on this trial."

Monday, Saddam complained angrily to the judge about having to walk up four flights of stairs, chained and escorted by "foreign guards.'"

CBS News has learned that the chief prosecutor is hoping for a conviction in just seven to eight working days.

Asked whether Saddam ever talks about the possibility of being sentenced to death, Khamis Al-Obeidi replied: "This is in the hands of God and we have never discussed it."

Saddam Hussein's defense team includes two high-powered advisers: former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark and former Qartari Justice Minister Najib al-Nueimi, who arrived in court Monday along with the former Iraqi president's chief lawyer, Khalil Dulaimi.

Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin ordered all handcuffs and shackles removed from Saddam and his seven co-defendants before they entered the court. Saddam was the last of the eight to come inside, walking with a swagger, appearing cheerful and greeting people with the traditional Arabic greeting "Peace be upon the people of peace."

Saddam, dressed in black trousers and a gray jacket, entered about eight minutes after his name was called.

Several mortar blasts could be heard although it was unclear where they occurred. There were no immediate casualty reports.

In other recent developments in Iraq:

Depending on how next month's elections go in Iraq, more than 20,000 U.S. troops could leave by the first of the year and another 20,000 could come out by July, reports CBS News senior White House correspondent John Roberts.

A military vehicle carrying three congressmen overturned on the way to the Baghdad airport, injuring two of them, the U.S. Embassy said Sunday. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., was airlifted to a military hospital in Germany for an MRI on his neck, and Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., was sent to a Baghdad hospital for evaluation, said Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Ga., who was also in the vehicle but was not hurt.

Sen. John Warner, R-Va., the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Sunday suggested that President Bush use an FDR-style presentation to update people on progress in the war in Iraq.

Iraq's national security adviser says it's "ridiculous" to contend that human rights abuses now are as bad they were under Saddam Hussein. Mowaffak al-Rubaie said he believes the allegations were made for political purposes. Iraq's former interim prime minister told a British newspaper that it is appropriate to compare conditions now to conditions under Saddam. And he said they could get worse.

Before dawn Sunday, about 350 Iraqi soldiers in 50 vehicles carried out an operation in a Sunni Muslim area south of Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. A similar operation two weeks ago brought national protests from Sunni leaders. Iraqi army Maj. Karim Al-Zihayri said 15 people were arrested on suspicion of planting roadside bombs, attacking checkpoints, kidnapping and theft.

On Saturday, a U.S. Marine died when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb near Camp Taqaddum, 45 miles west of Baghdad, the U.S. command said. The latest death raised the number of U.S. service members to die since the Iraq war started in March 2003 to at least 2,106, according to an Associated Press count.

Saddam and seven co-defendants are charged in the killing of more than 140 Shiite Muslims after an assassination attempt against the former president in the Shiite town of Dujail in 1982. Convictions could bring a sentence of death by hanging.

Insecurity from the predominantly Sunni insurgency has complicated efforts to put Saddam on trial and forced draconian measures. For example, names of four of the five trial judges have been kept secret and some of the 35 witnesses may testify behind curtains to protect them from reprisal.

Ramsey Clark, who served as attorney general under President Johnson, wrote last month that Saddam's rights had been systematically violated since his December 2003 capture, including his right "to a lawyer of his own choosing."

Clark and others say a fair trial is impossible in Iraq because of the insurgency and because, they argue, the country is effectively under foreign military occupation. U.S. and Iraqi officials insist the trial will conform to international standards.

Still, the trial has unleashed passions in an Iraqi society deeply divided in its judgment of Saddam and his rule.

Many of the Sunni Arab insurgent groups include Saddam loyalists, including members of the former ruling Baath party and veterans of both Saddam's personal militia and the Republican Guard.

The ousted leader, meanwhile, is vilified by Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority and its Kurdish community, which were oppressed during his rule.

On Saturday, hundreds of supporters of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr rallied in Baghdad to demand Saddam's