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http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/08/10...rial/index.html

HAMBURG, Germany -- The United States has said it will not let key al Qaeda suspects in its custody testify at the retrial of the only September 11 suspect ever to be convicted.

The announcement came as the retrial of Mounir el Motassadeq opened in a Hamburg courtroom on Tuesday.

In a letter to the German Embassy in Washington, U.S. officials said "interactive access" to such prisoners could hamper their interrogation and lead to critical secret information being divulged, The Associated Press reported.

However, the U.S. State Department letter, which was read out in court, said the United States would provide unclassified summaries, apparently of interrogations, according to AP.

Trial Judge Ernst-Rainer Schudt described the offer of summaries as "a bit of progress."

In el Motassadeq's first trial, U.S. authorities refused to allow even transcripts of two key suspects' interrogations to be admitted as evidence.

In February 2003, el Motassadeq became the first person anywhere to be convicted in connection with the 2001 attacks. He was sentenced to 15 years in jail.

But earlier this year, an appeals court ruled the verdict was unfair because the U.S.-held witnesses did not testify, and it ordered a new trial.

El Motassadeq, who denies the charges, was released from prison in April.

I don't know. Sounds to me like the U.S. Government is all about fighting terrorism if it involves sending troops and dropping bombs, but if they expect us to let our P.O.W.s testify in order to fight terrorism in a court room, they are sadly mistaken. I really don't understand. The war on terror has been our #1 priority since 9/11 and now when someone has the opportunity to actually convict someone that was involved we do little more than lift a finger to help. The conviction was over-turned once because of inadequate access to evidence, what makes us think they won't do it again?

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Yep, scarry. Well look at the whole saddam issue. They want to bring him to court, not only US court, but iraq court. Guess who's going to win? Saddam will go back to his people, and help al queda plan the next terror attack which, not to scare no one, but I'm positive is already begun planning. 9/11 took a few years to plan, so just because there's no attack now or in a few months does not mean everything's OK They need to keep security very tight indefinetly at this point and even then, al queda are pretty smart (well smart and stupid at the same time, if you know what I mean) and may figure a way around it.

I'm just glad Harper did not make it as PM otherwise Canada would be in the same boat.

Speaking of saddam, has anyone heard anything about that case lately? I have'nt heard much since they got him.

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Red Squirrel wrote: Saddam will go back to his people

If the Iraqi Tribunal really lets him go (not likely), I'm sure the US will have something to say about that.

Here's a great story on how the US shot itself (and other allies) in the foot in this war on terror:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...lowingspyscover

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sintekk wrote:

Red Squirrel wrote: Saddam will go back to his people

If the Iraqi Tribunal really lets him go (not likely), I'm sure the US will have something to say about that.

Yeah it's true that allot of iraqies did not like him but there's also some iraqies that do (his regime) so I think it will be a close one.

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Most of his old regime is either arrested, or on a deck of "Wanted!" Playing cards

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Haha true. Or in the same boat as bin laden, on milk cartons.

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"Has anyone seen this missing person?"



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Red Squirrel wrote: Yep, scarry.  Well look at the whole saddam issue.  They want to bring him to court, not only US court, but iraq court.  Guess who's going to win?     Saddam will go back to his people, and help al queda plan the next terror attack which, not to scare no one, but I'm positive is already begun planning.  9/11 took a few years to plan, so just because there's no attack now or in a few months does not mean everything's OK  They need to keep security very tight indefinetly at this point and even then, al queda are pretty smart (well smart and stupid at the same time, if you know what I mean) and may figure a way around it. 

I'm just glad Harper did not make it as PM otherwise Canada would be in the same boat.

Speaking of saddam, has anyone heard anything about that case lately?  I have'nt heard much since they got him.

Sorry Red, but even in Iraqi custody, Saddam will never be a free man again. He will be lucky to live the rest of his natural life, much less as a free man. His "regime" is no longer in charge, and the people that are don't like him very much.


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From what I've read and heard, Iraq is split 3 ways. 1/3 want Saddam killed, 1/3 want him free so he can rule again, and the other 1/3 want him free so the people of Iraq can kill him. Doesn't look too good for Saddam....

As far as the war on terror, it's a great idea, but not a full-hearted effort. Afganistan has been crumbling for months, and we refuse to send in the necissary support, but refer them to the UN instead... We were warned that we would have to finish on our own what we started if we did it alone! We've done nothing with N. Korea, and little with Iran. Pakistan has been helpful in their own way, but it has been helpful, overall we've done little to stop terror other than re-enforce our barriors. More proof this administration is more interested in doing things their way rather than doing what's right.

Anyone know why Bush is touting foreign policy as a strong point? Didn't he come in with none and show it?

edit: I said NATO when I meant the UN

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MrSelf wrote: Anyone know why Bush is touting foreign policy as a strong point? Didn't he come in with none and show it? 

More Bush rhetoric. If you repeat the same lie enough times, people start to forget how big of a lie it really is.

As far as the war on terror, it's a great idea, but not a full-hearted effort. Afganistan has been crumbling for months, and we refuse to send in the necissary support, but refer them to NATO instead... We were warned that we would have to finish on our own what we started if we did it alone! We've done nothing with N. Korea, and little with Iran. Pakistan has been helpful in their own way, but it has been helpful, overall we've done little to stop terror other than re-enforce our barriors. More proof this administration is more interested in doing things their way rather than doing what's right.

I particularly enjoy how we're basically begging the U.N. for their help now (incidently they just committed to another full year of presence in Iraq), but when we started this whole thing we didn't give a damn whether they were with us or not.

If I were in charge of the U.N. I'd listen to our cries for approximately...? 2 minutes and then I'd turn little Bushy boy around and politely shove his arrogant right out the door. "Sorry Georgie, you picked the fight, now you have to fight it!"

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Ah, Sintekk, your clever doctored milk carton has made my day

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