Saddam Hussein's eldest daughter has praised her
uncle, Barzan Ibrahim, and the others currently on trial with her father as
"Iraq's real men.
In an interview aired on Arab satellite network Al-Arabiya, Raghad Saddam
Hussein called the trial "a farce and unfair" and praised the seven men, who are
facing charges with her father over the deaths of 148 Shi'ite Muslims in 1982 in
the town of Dujail.
"My uncle Barzan has been remarkable in court, very courageous and a real
hero," Raghad said.
"He has clarified the wrong impression that was made about Iraqi men. Those
who surround my father, they what could be called Iraq's real men, the
honourable image that represents our country."
Barzan Ibrahim, Saddam's half-brother, appeared in one court session in
February dressed only in an undershirt and long underwear, struggling with
guards as he was pulled into the courtroom. The former chief of intelligence
then sat on the floor with his back to the judge in protest for much of the
session.
Raghad, who has been living in Amman, Jordan, with her sister Rana and their
children since August 2003, said she believed most Iraqis were not happy with
the trial, and those who acted pleased "were chosen by a certain party to reach
a certain goal".
"You know the depth that Iranian influence has reached inside this country,"
she added, speaking of Iraq's predominantly Shi'ite Muslim neighbour.
Raghad, who has given several television and print interviews since moving to
Jordan, appeared with a new haircut, her head bare, and a confident demeanour.
She seemed more comfortable than in past interviews.
Framed photographs of her father, including one of him yelling and pointing
in court, could be seen in the background. There were also pictures of Raghad's
two brothers, Odai and Qusai, who were killed by American troops in July 2003.
Raghad said she could not predict how the trial would end.
"This is the most difficult question. The father is very, very dear, as much
as children are dear, my father is dearer to me for sure. It's difficult to
predict," she said.
Raghad and Rana were seen by some as victims of Saddam, who ordered their
husbands killed in 1996 after the men defected to Jordan and disclosed evidence
about Iraq's weapons program.
The daughters were estranged from their father for a time but were believed
to have reconciled with Saddam in recent years.