Transcript: Saddam Hussein Court Hearing

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): So that I have to know, you are an investigative judge of the central court of Iraq? What resolution, what law formed this court?

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): (OFF-MIKE)

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Oh, the coalition forces? So you are an Iraqi that -- you are representing the occupying forces?

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): No, I'm an Iraqi representing Iraq.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): But you are...

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I was appointed by a presidential decree under the former regime.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): So you are reiterating that every Iraqi should respect the Iraqi law. So the law that was instituted before represents the will of the people, right?

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Yes, God willing.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): So you should not work under the jurisdiction of the coalition forces.

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This is an important point. I am a judge. In the former regime, I respect the judges. And I am resuming and continuing my work.

You, as any other citizen, you have to answer to any accusation or charge, that's true. This is an arraignment, a charge. If it can be proven, then you will be convicted. If not, then everything is fine. The judicial due process is to bring back rights. If there's evidence, you'll be convicted. If there's no evidence, you will not.

Until now, you're accused before the judicial system. So according to that...

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): So, please let me -- I'm not complicating matters.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Are you a judge? You are a judge? And judges, they value the law. And they rule by the law, right? Right?

Right is a relative issue. For us, right is our heritage in the Koran, sharia, right?

I am not talking about Saddam Hussein, whether he was a citizen or in other capacities. I'm not holding fast to my position, but to respect the will of the people that decided to choose Saddam Hussein as the leader of the revolution.

Therefore, when I say president of the Republic of Iraq, it's not a formality or a holding fast to a position, but rather to reiterate to the Iraqi people that I respect its will. This is one.